Four years ago Edogawa Conan left the Mouri household to live with his family. Now Kudou Shinichi has returned to Beika in hopes to return to the life that was taken from him seven years ago and with The Black Organization still at large he has to walk a thin line of a life in the shadows and the light.
Chapter One: Home coming
Shinichi walked, half staggered his way into the Beika terminal it was a long fourteen hour flight from Prague and with a two and a half hour layover in Moscow he was cranky and bored but felt good to be back in Beika. He was looking forward in to seeing everyone again especially Ran. He suffered greatly when he had to leave her but Shiho had insisted that it would be better for him that he should go out of the country for the final test lest something should happen. Despite not wanting to leave and the uneasy feeling he got when he thought of Beika he also stayed for the four year muscle recovery and body training. He was grateful for it too. His father had taken him to friend of his that thought him Taekwondo and Parkour. Also went backpacking across the west European continent, got his schooling out of the way and his master's in criminal justice and investigations, and got to run with Interpol chasing after Lupin on his home turf but the urge to go back home was too strong for him to ignore now and the desperate need to just see Ran again was driving him mad. It was because of those reasons he sat for fourteen hours on a cramped plane with a snoring old gentleman that smelt like sardines on his left and a talkative mother with a screaming child on his right.
Shinichi shook his head and smirked. Just to see Ran he'd do it all over again. Rolling his neck he felt satisfaction when it cracked and the muscle loosened.
"Tantei-kun."
That one nickname made Shinichi's head swivel to his right. Leaned against a pole with a hat pulled down over his right eye and a playful smirk on his face was KID. It didn't really surprise Shinichi that KID would know of his return but what threw him off was that the thief showed up in person. Keeping up the facade that he was supposed to meet him Shinichi strolled over with a grin and laughter in his eyes. He could see even from the three feet distance that KID was poised to bolt if necessary. Although now that he was closer Shinichi was finally able to get a good look at him.
KID was slightly broader in the chest and shoulders than him making the clothes he was wearing pull along the muscles of his arms distractingly. KID was by no means hulky but he did have enough of it to pull someone's wanted attention. Long legs were covered by jeans that hugged perfectly. KID was also taller to Shinichi's annoyance. He felt the hairs on his arms stand when he sensed KID's eyes roam over him in the same manner he had just done. A lazy knowing smile was spread across KID's face, one that made Shinichi heart tap dance with his voice box. Taking a much needed swallow the detective tried to find the right words but what do you say to an internationally famous thief and one that seems to know everything about you?
Shinichi's brows knitted together in thought and KID bit back a laugh. He knew that his sudden appearance would throw the detective off; at least he hoped it would and so far it seemed like it was. Pushing off the wall he watched Shinichi come back to the present.
"Walk with me." KID said.
Shinichi blinked at the command and held back from the sudden urge to do what the thief said. Doing what Kaitou KID said would half the time end up with you hanging upside-down covered in slime and your hair dyed some outrageous color. Yet it was that unpredictability that made Shinichi yearned to do just that. He chewed on the inside of his cheek and watched the thief just wait for him. Unable to suppress the smile that twitched at the corner of his mouth he sighed and shrugged.
KID kept his face void of the emotion he was feeling inside. He wanted to act like an excited child on Christmas morning. He turned away from the man and walked toward the exit of the terminal.
Shinichi hurried till he was just a few steps behind KID. From this distance he could smell KID's scent. Shinichi grimaced in confusion and sniffed the air again; turpentine, oil, wood and something metallic. The smell and the image of KID clashed greatly in Shinichi's mind. It wasn't how he could picture the usually gentleman thief to smell like. Not that he went around fantasizing about that. No, no he just assumed that KID would smell like some kind of cologne, something women would go crazy over. Not that he needed that to help with his luck with women. Shinichi felt his male pride stir with jealousy. He stared at KID's shoes and realized that that was another mistake.
The thief's shoes were covered in metal shavings, wood dust, and drops of a shiny lacquer. Shinichi arched an eyebrow and stared in wonder at KID's back. As Shinichi's mind raced with questions he felt someone slam roughly into his shoulder cause him trip into KID's back. He felt the hand before he saw it. Steady, unyielding, and terrifyingly gentle.
"You know I forgot how rude people become at this place." KID huffed and glare at the man as he ran down the terminal bumping into three more people.
Shinichi couldn't even register what KID had said. He was trying to restart his brain again. As the thief's hand left his shoulder Shinichi found he suddenly needed to breathe again. A shuddering sigh left him and he straightened and put a good distance between them.
'It should be illegal for him to talk that close to someone.' Shinichi thought. The hair on the back of his neck was still standing on end and the skin where KID's breath mingled was humming. Shinichi choked and shook his head. He must be exhausted from the long flight.
"Tantei-kun?"
Shinichi looked up at KID. He saw that the phantom was giving him a funny look. 'Oh god what had he been saying?' "I'm sorry, what did you say?"
KID smirked and chuckled. "I asked you if you were alright. He did slam into you pretty hard back there."
Shinichi ears burned in embarrassment. "I'm fine."
KID's smirk grew and Shinichi had a sinking feeling that the man beside him suddenly realized something. As he was about to ask KID started walking again and Shinichi was once again hurrying to catch the thief.
Beika's air at night was always cool. Shinichi breathed it in deep as he and KID finally stepped out of the entrance. It had been four years since he walked through those doors as Conan. Now he was able to stand here again, this time as who he should be. The smile that shone on his face was true and real and unhinged. KID had been watching him as they walked through the final parts of the airport, when he walked right by his side, when that smile slowly started to appear and be damned if it didn't take his breath away. It was worth risking getting hand cuffs slapped on him if the detective decided that he was going to take this opportunity to catch him. Not that those would keep him for long.
The thief actually flinched when Shinichi dropped his bag suddenly. As the detective stretched his hands over his head KID took this opportunity to really look at him. The casual glance over was just a mire acknowledge of his health. Now … nothing but the pure pleasure at looking at someone pulled at his lust strings.
Kudou Shinichi was smaller than him. In the back and waist especially. Even though he was slender he was nothing but muscle. KID noticed that when he got to hold him for that brief, God sent moment. He did have him in leg length though. The detective's legs seemed to go on forever and it was a shame they had to be covered in denim. Although one good thing the jeans did was hug perfectly on his backside. KID felt his mouth water and he forced himself to look away.
'He is a taken man. Well almost.' KID mentally berated.
Shinichi felt his skin heat and tingle under KID gaze. He was a fool for think that the gaze earlier was the same. This one … this gaze made his toes curl. Holding his arms over his head still he glanced over to KID when he felt those eyes no longer on him. KID expression was distance as always yet there was a kind of longing in it. He lowered his arms and they caught each other's gaze. For a brief moment Shinichi saw pain and a feeling he knew all too well, want, to only look at something you long to hold but as quickly it revealed itself it was gone; masked by a well-practiced poker face.
"Why did you come and meet me?" The question was out before Shinichi could stop it and seeing KID slip further into himself he regretted it.
"Why not, out of the entire group detectives that chase my tail, you are by far my favorite, my equal." KID shrugged.
Shinichi was stunned. KID shrugged out an answer as if he just asked about the weather and wasn't telling him he was KID's favorite detective the farthest thing from it? Pride kept Shinichi from actually voicing that opinion. He tossed his chin defiantly and narrowed his eyes at KID.
KID grinned and stuffed his hands into the pockets of his jeans; there he gripped the monocle for strength. "Now, now Tantei-kun don't go biting your tongue."
Shinichi flushed and glared at the thief. Picking up his bag he turned toward the curb to hail a taxi. The strong grip on his arms made him stop short and swing his gaze back. Mere inches kept their faces separate. Shinichi felt his breath catch and KID heard it. A lazy grin spread across the Hensei Lupin's face. The one that made you think 'oh shit' while butterflies played hockey in your stomach.
The hand on Shinichi's arms slid down till it reached his wrist. KID felt his ego swell when he felt the pulse skitter there. Now whether it was from fear that the thief was going to prank him or a mutual attraction he didn't know after all he wasn't the detective here.
"What are you thinking of, Hensei Holmes?" KID practically purred.
Shinichi felt his pulse skitter again and blushed. He knew KID could feel that and his suspicion was confirmed when the grin on the thief's face grew lazily knowing. Taking a very slow and deliberate step back he slipped his arm out of the thief's loose grip.
"You'll never find out." Shinichi replied smirking.
It was like dancing with fire; beautiful, painful and downright stupid. KID rocked back on to his heels and pursed his lips into a pout. Shaking his head he smiled softly at the detective.
"Okay, I'll take you home."
"Huh?" Was Shinichi's brilliant reply.
Slightly scared, confused and inwardly asking him the same question, 'why are you fallowing him?' Shinichi did just that, fallow an international wanted, slightly insane, building diving thief. As KID slowed to a very ordinary looking light blue flat-bed truck. Shinichi was thrown for yet another loop. He heard KID laugh.
"Were expecting a white get-away car?"
Shinichi flushed. "No!"
KID laughed again and open the driver side door. Shinichi tossed his bag into the back and opened the door then froze. It suddenly dawned on his how freaking insane this was. Climbing to a truck with KID. Hesitantly he looked at the thief. KID started the engine and caught his look.
"Suddenly dawned on you that what you're doing would probably be considered insane?" KID smirked and leaned against the steering wheel with his cheek against his fist.
Shinichi stared at the seat in front of him and stood there for a moment.
"It's the same for me."
Shinichi snapped his head up and stared at the man. KID was leaned back in the seat staring ahead as his fist tightened and loosened on the steering wheel. 'So he nervous about this too' Shinichi thought and climbed in. He watched KID's expression soften up somewhat and put the truck in gear.
He waited till they were on the road to ask KID again. "Why did you come pick me up?"
"Do you really want to know the honest answer?" KID mumbled and stilled.
Shinichi turned his head and his gaze on to the thief. Pondering KID's words and the hushed tone he knew that the phantom was going to be a bit reluctant to give him the information. Then again he has never known KID to hesitate in anything, whether staring down the barrel of a gun or flirting with Ran. So why now, why was he nervous? "Yes, I do."
KID sighed and wished the one time he showed his true emotions it would shock the detective into silence. "Because well … I liksh bsui."
Shinichi blinked then arched an eyebrow. Were those even words? "Huh?"
"I liksh bbsui." KID mumbled again and fidgeted.
Now Shinichi was hooked. A small grin curved his lips into a smile and he turned in the seat so he was facing the thief fully. "KID I seriously can't-
"I like you." KID nearly shouted.
Shinichi sat frozen. The half-smile on his face slowly disappeared and he turned back to the front.
For a long painfully silent hour KID and Shinichi sat there. KID was slowly drowning in his self-mortification and Shinichi … well he just went it to shock.
"Wait! You like me! As in the way I like Ran! Or the way I like Hattori?" Shinichi shouted and swung to face him again. He had to brace himself against the dash when the truck jolted.
"How about some warning next time?" KID exclaimed as he pulled the truck back under control. "Jeez you nearly gave me a heart attack."
"Which is it?" Shinichi pressed.
"Which is what?"
"Do you like me the way I like Ran? Or the way Hattori likes me?"
'Does he even know how Hattori really feels about him?' KID thought and looked at the detective next to him. Laughing gently threw his nose he thought no. "I like you the way you like Ran."
Shinichi stared at the thief next to him. He couldn't tell if he was being serious or playing a mean prank. "KID …"
"Look, you asked and I told you the truth because you wanted it. I don't expect you to like me back or even respect me now. I just … I don't know I didn't realize it till after you left. You as Conan and yes I have always known. How Ran couldn't figure that out is beyond me? But, damn it, I like you, really, really like you." KID explained. His voice strained under withheld frustration.
Shinichi opened his mouth to say something but closed it again. What was he supposed to say after a confession like that? Unable to give KID what he knew he wanted Shinichi face forward again and stared out the window. KID sighed and smiled. Reaching over he took Shinichi's hand in his.
"I'm sorry. I didn't want to tell you. I was going to take it to the grave. It's just that when you asked and got that 'dog with a bone' look I couldn't deny you." KID didn't have to see Shinichi's face to know the contact affected him.
"KID … I"
KID threw the truck into park in front of Shinichi's mansion and unbuckled himself in matter of seconds and before Shinichi could react or even figure out what he was planning, he leaned over, framed Shinichi's face in his hands and kissed him.
The kiss was slow, gentle and it burned. Shinichi felt his toes curl then felt nothing. He watched KID ease away from him, poker mask in place and eyes distant. Left feeling slightly dejected Shinichi opened the passenger side door and climbed out. On legs he had to struggle to keep from buckling he grabbed his bag and slammed the door closed. He was miffed and hurt for reasons that confused the hell out of him.
"Hey, Tantei-kun!"
Shinichi froze at the gate but didn't turn to face KID. "What?"
"Welcome home." KID said calmly and sweetly.
Shinichi faced him now, stunned and saw KID leaning over the passenger seat smiling softly at him.
"Good Night, Shinichi." KID said, sat back up and drove away.
