This is prompt 30 of the 435 birdsonqs prompts. When I started out writing it, I meant for it to be a oneshot, but it somehow stretched a bit longer. This is, as of yet, unedited. I still haven't found a beta, so any mistakes are, well, not going to get caught unless you point them out to me.
Chapter 1: A Deal with the Moon
It was exhausting. He could no longer bear the weight forcing his shoulders down. Forcing him lower than he had ever gone. Too long… Conan took his glasses off and turned cerulean eyes to the moon. It had been entirely too long since he had been Kudo Shinichi.
Scoffing, Conan tore his eyes away from the night sky and pushed his thumb and forefinger between his eyes. No one even remembered the teen genius Kudo Shinichi any more. Ran, heartbroken but still loyal, was getting stretched too thin. She waited for Shinichi to return, and Conan watched her worry every day. He could not continue doing that to her.
Sure, he had Hattori, but their rivalry prevented him from relying on Hattori too much. Like Ran, too, Hattori had a life to continue. He saw Conan as the teen he was, but Hattori could only spend so much time with a grade schooler. Haibara had resigned herself to their lot, despite her attempts to help Conan regain his original form as Shinichi.
Conan stopped himself from crossing his few friends from his list. Any further and he would upset himself all over again. He already knew no one really put much stock in Shinichi anymore. Mostly the few that knew his true identity just told him to live his life as Conan. The part of him that still persistently pursued the Black Organization and wanted to make everything go back to normal refused to give up.
Well, that actually meant most of Conan wanted to keep trying. Keep fighting. Keep putting all of the pieces together. The extra ten years of memory Conan should not have made it impossible for him to accept his lot. Flickering above him made Conan look up as the streetlight he stood under went out. Darkness concealed the boy from sight, but he didn't mind as he just closed his eyes.
Shinichi would be 19 years old had he not turned into Conan. Already, three years had gone by. In those three years, he had barely gotten anything on the Black Org. Shaking his head, Conan put the large glasses back on. He looked up at the street light far in front of him, still lit unlike the one he stood under.
Three years of being a child all over again, and it just felt like the answer kept getting further away. Every time he thought he got another piece of the puzzle, he found out it was even larger. This case, he frowned, was proving impossible. It was too much. Everything was spiraling out of his control and just seemed hopeless.
All alone and afraid to turn to any of the few that knew who he was, Conan did something he never thought he would do. Technically, he hadn't done it yet, he supposed. Conan twisted his fingers in his short brown hair, mussing it up. Despite his detective side objecting, very loudly, he would go on with it.
Determination in check, Conan began running, no longer willing to wait beneath the unlit streetlamp. His read super-powered shoes slapped against the uneven pavement and his lungs, better than when he first turned into a child, pushed against his ribcage. Not far from the residential district he had stalled in there was a museum.
That very night the museum introduced another gem to the world. However, the museum received a notice by none other than Phantom Thief Kid, saying he would steal that very gem. Of course, the notice wasn't so easily read and was quite the mystery all on its own, just like Kid's normal notices.
Kid announced his plans, detailing just how he would steal the gem, but no one had been able to piece together those particular clues. No one but Conan, that is. A few of the policemen, and inspectors, asked if he had figured it out due to his knack of getting closer to Kid than anyone else. Conan denied their questions, hoping to use Kid's blueprint for his own purposes. If any of the policemen were there, his goal would remain unfulfilled.
By the time Conan reached the skyscraper opposite the museum he was panting. No one took notice of the 9 year old boy, though, since Kid's entire fanbase was screaming just across the street. It still amazed Conan that the thief actually had a regular following, but he supposed he shouldn't be too surprised since he, too, had quite the fanbase when he was Kudo Shinichi.
Patting his hair back down into its semi-orderly appearance, still unable to get his cowlicks to stay put, Conan checked his watch. Good. He still had time. Back to running, Conan made his way to the roof of the building. Although the police hadn't figured out Kid's point of entry, they would probably check at one point or another.
Bursting onto the roof, Conan whipped around, checking that Kid hadn't arrived yet. Slumping when no one was in sight, Conan looked back up to the night sky. He could barely see any stars in the sky. Part of his brain supplied, the lights from the city obscure the starlight, but he pushed the thought from his head. Conan's object of admiration, instead of the stars, was the moon.
It was a full moon, beautifully framed by the sparse clouds hovering in the sky. Sometimes it seemed like the Moonlight Magician was really like the moon. He was so clear, easy to see, but hidden from view at the same time. Conan had very few cases that honestly made him smile, since most involved murder. Kid, however, proved to be Conan's favorite. Despite Kid's status as a thief, Conan respected the magician. There had even been times that they teamed up, not to mention their past deals.
Having kept his word for years, Conan still had no clue who Kid was behind the disguises. "Waiting for me, Tantei-kun?" Conan spun on his heel and had his tranquilizer dart at the ready by habit, stopping when he remembered that was the last thing he wanted. Lowering his arm and clicking the watch closed, Conan took in Kid's appearance.
Kid was the same as ever, with his white get up and cape. Just above his razor sharp smirk, as always, Kid's eyes glinted playfully. The ever present monocle and top hat made it difficult to discern precise characteristics of Kid's face, but not many trusted their eyes much anyway since Kid was a master of disguises. "Well," Kid playfully pretended he was miffed, "since you're not going to talk Tantei-kun-"
"Wait, Kid!" Kid turned back to look at Conan, surprised by the urgency in the boy's voice. Conan looked away and bit his lip, wondering just how he would start this conversation. It was strange, what he was thinking. Especially considering the other party was a renowned thief and he was a detective.
What's wrong, Tantei-kun? Cat got your tongue?" Playful tone aside, Kid carefully examined the boy. Conan was, by far, his favorite critic and Conan sounded very distressed. Normally the boy, as per his actually age, was well put-together and sharp-witted. It was strange to have Conan sound so distressed.
Wind shuffled past both of them, carrying the sound of the below chaos up to the boys. Neither moved, but their minds spun faster than any normal person's mind could. Finally looking back up at Kid, Conan took off his glasses, "I…" he chewed his lip. It was much more difficult to say out loud than he thought it would be. "I have a favor to ask. Of you." Conan scowled when he realized how stilted his voice sounded.
Kid almost responded with a teasing, "If it's for me to turn myself in, I'll have to decline Meitantei." Forcing his poker face to stay in check, Kid worried about Conan. The little detective was acting strange. "What would that be?"
Wringing his hands together, Conan quietly spoke up, "I want to talk." Kid blinked slowly, his smile frozen against his cheeks. Now that was an odd request. Especially since it came from the favored child. Flexing his gloved hands carefully, Kid thought through Conan's words. It could be a trap, meant to stall him long enough for capture. However, he knew Conan wouldn't try that since it never really worked anyway.
Conan's eyebrows drew together so deep they almost touched. Kid seemed to be confused so he resigned himself to explaining. Forget the fact that the whole point was so that he could finally explain it to someone. "You know the truth about me, right? I got turned into a kid, and now I have to keep my identity a secret lest they find out. It's… lonely." Conan dropped his eyes and stared at the concrete beneath his feet. It was pocked and worn from the weather so high in the sky, and so much less embarrassing than looking at the thief.
Warily stepping closer to the child, Kid asked, "Then why don't you talk with the other detective? Or someone else?"
Eyes still lowered, but wavering with the urge to keep an eye on the elusive thief, Conan thought about it again. It all seemed like trivial excuses, but they still held strong when he went over them again. No, the truth was… he wanted to go to Kid in the first place. There was just something that made him trust the thief. Conan clenched his fists and felt his blunt, chipped nails dig painfully into his palms. What explanation could he give Kid that would make sense? The truth?
Looking up, into Kid's eyes, Conan nodded. Yes, the truth. "I trust you. I-" feel a connection with you. Like we're the same. Conan wouldn't say that unless he had to. Fidgeting under Kid's silent stare, Conan turned his eyes away again.
Static erupted between them as one of the inspectors shouted something on the radio. Listening closely, Conan heard them say they were on their way up to the roof where he and Kid were standing. It looked like time was up. Pulling a blank expression over his features, Conan looked up at Kid; the magician's face was still frozen in his cheerful poker face. Chances were, Conan thought, Kid wouldn't agree. It would be strange if he did.
Conan grit his teeth. He shouldn't have tried. Warmth encircled him, surprising him. Conan hadn't even registered the chill against his skin until he was enveloped in Kid's arms. Was that… Kid's response? Kid danced back a few feet and tipped his hat. "Later, Tantei-kun." He jumped off the rooftop just as the roof door slammed open. Conan paid no mind to the men that ran past him, breathless.
As they all checked over the edge of the roof, searching for some vestige of Kid, Conan puzzled out the hug. Blankly walking away, Conan ignored the uproar that started up in the opposite building. Was the hug supposed to be an apology? Or was it an agreement? Could it have meant something else?
Conan hugged himself, curling just slightly to ward off the cold. It felt so much colder after Kid's warmth left marks on his skin. The way back home, despite taking longer because he was walking, felt like seconds, as Conan was lost in thought.
Since Ran was too busy studying for college, Conan entered his room without any issues. If Detective Mouri ever noticed Conan's comings and goings, Conan would eat his shoes. Just inside the small room, Conan opted not to turn on the lights and crawled into his bed. At first the room was sparse, but three years of residency filled up the corners with books and the occasional cartoon figure. There were a few knick-knacks Conan accumulated as gifts, but everything was neatly put away belying Conan's age.
"Aw, Tantei-kun! You won't even say hi to me?" Conan jumped up and stared in the corner of his room. Perched against Conan's desk, as if it was perfectly normal that he was there, Kaito Kid grinned back at him. Taking off his glasses, Conan squeezed the bridge of his nose. He was not expecting Kid to visit his room right after a heist. Scanning over the thief, Conan wondered just where the stolen gem was hidden.
Kid glanced around the room, humming when he saw how bare it was. The numerous books were expected, but—Kid picked up one of the masked Yaiba figurines—there were a few surprising things. Everything in Conan screamed at him to jump the thief and arrest him, but Conan forced his muscles still and just watched Kid.
Pretending he didn't see Conan crouched stiffly on the bed, Kid stood and walked around the room slowly. Even with the slow, languorous movements, Kid circled the entire room in a few seconds. Other than books, a desk, and a bed there was little more to Conan's room. Pouting, Kid peeked into Conan's closet then started laughing.
Frowning, Conan tried to figure out what was so funny. Nerves grating on him, he tersely asked, "What?" Kid peeked back at the boy, still in his usual blue blazer and lighter blue shorts. It looked like the little detective was too tired to change out of his clothes. Turning his eyes back to the closet, Kid hoped that was the case.
"You have way too many of this one outfit." Conan flushed and looked at the plain blue bedding. It was comfortable. Plus, his gadgets from Agasa were made to go with the one outfit, so he could carry them around without causing suspicion. Kid tilted Conan's face up, close but wary of anything Conan could do to imprison him. "You wanted to talk, Tantei-kun?"
Grumbling past his deepening flush, Conan knocked Kid's hand away. "I didn't mean in person."
Kid tilted his head, wondering what Conan meant. How else were they going to talk? It wasn't as if he would give Conan his number, since he couldn't bring himself to trust the genius that much. There was no insurance against Conan tracing his number back to civilian identity as Kuroba Kaito. "Tantei-kun?"
Conan's eyes flitted across Kid's face. He worked through what Kid was probably thinking and shook his head. "L-Letters." He cursed the stutter. It was somewhat embarrassing for him to say he wanted to exchange letters with someone. Conan rarely turned to writing as a medium, since others used to suggest he follow in his father's footsteps as a mystery novelist.
"Letters?" Kid blinked again, struggling to maintain his mask. Conan just kept blowing him away. Letters seemed even worse than exchanging numbers, though.
Sighing, Conan eyed the wall just past Kid's shoulder. "Not mail them to each other. Just… leave them at a predetermined point. Or something…" Kid hummed. It was a much slower method of communicating than just talking, but he could see why the detective would be reluctant to share his feelings in person. He, himself, was on edge by being in Conan's room. Although he hid it well, Kid was well and prepared to run away at the slightest sign of Conan trying to capture him.
It was also difficult, in general, to speak of such things as Kid thought Conan wanted to. Conan, not unlike Kid in that respect, rarely spilled his doubts and fears. However, he should certainly have them stored away considering his past. Kid examined Conan's face as the boy continued averting his eyes. Everything must have piled on so heavily, one thing on top of another to make Conan turn to anyone, let alone Kaito Kid.
What could cause the strong boy to look to Kid, a criminal, for such a thing? How many unspoken feelings and thoughts had weighed on the genius detective's mind? Kid gently stroked the boy's cheek. To fear telling his few allies… Cerulean locked on gold-specked azure as Conan's eyes snapped to Kid's. Deep beneath the clear, bold surface of Conan's eyes, Kid could see a bit of the emotions threatening to come roiling to the surface. "Alright." He was just as surprised as Conan by his answer. The word had just come forth as he stared into Conan's eyes.
Conan's eyes fluttered for a few moments. At no point in time had Conan actually dared to believe Kid would agree to the insane proposal. Kid swooped off the bed towards the window, and, before he could stop himself, Conan grasped the edge of Kid's cape. "Wait! What about where we… put the letters?" His voice trembled, lightly enough that Kid wondered if he really heard it, but he was assured when Kid just grinned back at him.
"I'll let you know when I find a suitable spot." After all, they couldn't just leave their heart-felt letters anywhere! As Conan's eyes shifted with his thoughts, his hand still firmly grasping Kid's cape, Kid let his own thoughts run loose. He knew of a few spots between Ekoda and Beika that might serve as good locations. Both he and Conan could reach those places easily and without arousing suspicion.
"How-I," Conan frowned, his brows furrowing close together again. Smiling down at the distressed detective, Kid bent just low enough and pressed his forefinger right between Conan's furrowed eyebrows. "Wha?"
"Just say it Tantei-kun." Conan pouted and Kid couldn't resist wondering what he would have looked like had he been in his teenage body. Shinichi probably would have been just as cute as Conan when he pouted. Adding a blush to his mental picture of Shinichi, Kid decided he would be even cuter.
Not knowing what was going through Kid's head, Conan reworded whatever he attempted to say just moments before. "I don't know how to start."
Conan had a point. Kid tapped his finger against his chin in thought, brushing aside the inappropriate and out of place mental picture he just conjured up. It would be awkward for anyone to just spill all of their deepest secrets on paper, even if that was the whole point. "Just say whatever you want to say, Tantei-kun." Kid patted Conan's head, smiling back at the scowl he received. "You can tell me about your day, or whatever else you want." Conan sighed with relief. Although it should strike him as strange to update a criminal on his daily routines, it seemed better than just giving away all of his weaknesses.
Unable to resist the cute look of contemplation Conan was unwittingly providing, Kid pressed a kiss to Conan's forehead. The wide-eyed shock Conan gave Kid only brought the thief more satisfaction. Cackling, Kid swept the window open and stepped onto the ledge. "Bye bye Tantei-kun! It's past your bedtime, so I'll be going now!" With a wave Kid jumped back, snapping open his hang glider and letting the wind pull him away from the Mouri house.
Conan stared after the white triangle drifting away, his mind a mess. Since when… was Phantom Thief Kid so affectionate?!
I'll be posting the rest of the chapters soon. I'm trying to hurry up and finish it before next Friday. As in finish writing and posting before Friday. I'm trying not to make it too long.