Mikau: Hi guys! Thanks so much for all of your support while I've been sick and with my dog passing away and everything. I'm feeling a little better, and, surprisingly, I've been able to get a lot of writing done. So, I believe I said I would do one more chapter for this fic, right? Well, we all know what a liar I am when it comes to one-shots morphing into multi-chapter fics, and this fic is no exception. Here's chapter two for now. Chapter three should be out in about a week. I'm going on vacation, so it'll probably be after I get back next Saturday, and then there will be a little omake chapter after that. I hope you're happy. ^.^; I was trying to fit everything into one chapter, but it was just way too long, so I broke it down. This chapter contains Aoko and Kaito's talk, Aoko and Hakuba in the middle, and Kaito and Hakuba verbally working things out at the end. Chapter three will be KaiShin adorableness overload with their first not-date. Wait in great anticipation for the cuteness. And before I forget, thank you so much to everyone who reviewed last time: maddy, ThatGirlWhoLooksLikePopura, MeitanteiRose, Assasin8, Bunnyz-chan, LittleFan, mochiusagi, Kirazu Haruka, and 9angel! Getting such overwhelming support was really heartwarming and encouraging, so thank you!
Disclaimer: If I owned it, I'd be more in the know about recent developments. A Magic Kaito anime?! For reals?! I hope they do the robo Kaito episode and the one with the little eyeball robots and Green Dream. I'm kind of apprehensive about this, guys. If they decide to rewrite canon any more than they already have, I won't be happy. But, as we've already established, I don't own it, so I really have no say. Shame, really. We all know what I would do with the series.
…
Chapter Two: Riptides
"Aoko!" Kaito called after her as he raced out of the ballroom, following at a jog as he watched her dashing down the hall towards the powder room as fast as she could in high heels that she honestly wasn't used to wearing. He cringed as she faltered twice and then a third time.
"Aoko!" he called again, catching up quickly but not before she ducked into the ladies' restroom. "Aww, c'mon, Aoko!"
There was no response from her, so he took a breath and only hesitated a second or two before going in after her. He was really hoping that she was sitting in the longue area just outside the actual toilets.
His luck held out, and he found her seated on the little Victorian-style loveseat pushed up against the wall with a replica of Monet's water lily painting hung on it.
She was sobbing softly into her elegantly gloved hands, messing up her carefully done makeup.
He sighed softly and, scratching the back of his head, slowly went over to sit on the couch beside her.
"A-Aoko just got something stuck in her eye!" the strong-willed girl tried to come up with an excuse, anything to save her from the mortification and him from the worry. Anything to avoid the subject. "And Kaito can't be here! This is the women's restroom!" Her sobs turned to indignant shrieks.
He ignored both the lies and the protests, simply whispering, "I should have told you sooner."
She didn't respond verbally, but she physically shrunk, deflating because she knew she wasn't getting anything past him. They were going to have this conversation now, whether she wanted to or not, and all of her hard work saving for the dress and all of her time spent doing her hair and makeup with such careful attention was going to go to waste because she would not be sharing her first kiss with Kuroba Kaito this evening.
"So…that was Kudo Shinichi," Kaito mumbled, wondering how he was going to make this right. Normally words came at his beck and call, wrapping around his tongue, swirling through the air, and entrancing his listeners. Usually the right words came to him in even the trickiest situations, helping to finagle his way out of all manner of tight spots. Now…now the right words to fix his problem with Aoko were eluding him.
He tried again, "I'm sorry, Aoko. I should have said something a long time ago, but…for a long time I felt the same way for you, but now…just…all through high school I kept trying to make it work, and I clung on to the hope that someday things would work out between us, but…you're not the only one shocked to find out that I like guys, you know; it was pretty difficult for me to wrap my own head around, so…"
"Who is he?" Aoko finally replied in a frigid whisper. "Why him?"
"Shinichi?" Kaito shifted awkwardly. "He…he was the one that made me realize that I wasn't as straight as I thought I was."
"You just met him half an hour ago!" Aoko screeched, finally looking at him, eyes burning with rage that she was desperately trying to conceal.
Kaito shook his head. "I first met him at a Kid heist when we were sixteen or seventeen. He's participated in a few heists over the years on the down-low because he couldn't risk media exposure because of a dangerous undercover case he was working, but…that one time, I met him, and…things just…finally felt right, like it all fell into place. He really…kind of ninjaed my brain, I guess, and I haven't been able to get him out of my head all these years, so…tonight we finally met for real, and now I actually think I have a shot at some kind of relationship or something, so…"
She had clammed back up again.
He sighed, burying his face in his hands. He thought for a minute before running his hands through his hair and sitting back up.
"Aoko, it's not like you're really losing out or anything," he informed her just in case she hadn't realized it yet. "I mean…sure I have my good points, but…honestly? Let's just get it out there: I'm self-serving, insensitive, perverted, and immature. I'm not the kind of guy that you want to marry and support you. I'm irresponsible and, as Haku-chan likes to remind me, downright insufferable sometimes. I might make you smile and laugh on occasion, Aoko, but I'm not the right long-term partner for you."
"Why do you get to decide what's right for Aoko?!" she challenged.
He sighed again, unable to look at her as he replied, "Because you're not thinking clearly. You're upset, and you have every right to be, so you shouldn't be making major life decisions on your own. We've been friends for years, Aoko. I know you, and I know what you need, as presumptuous as it might be to say so. But I've been watching you this whole time, measuring myself up against that list, that image of what's right for you, and I don't measure up, Aoko. When I'm being completely honest with myself, I know that I don't make the cut."
"You're such an idiot!" she screamed, balling up her fists as her hands itched for a mop handle. "I hate you! How dare you try to boss me around and tell me you know better! The only person in Aoko's heart…the only person that's ever been in Aoko's heart is Kaito. How is Aoko supposed to just forget about all of that now, you jerk!?"
"You don't have to do it overnight," Kaito suggested gently.
"Kaito's so cruel," she mumbled, staring down at her hands gripping the skirt of her dress as she trembled. "What's so good about Kudo Shinichi? Why isn't Aoko good enough?"
"Aoko, it's not like I'm leaving you for him or anything," Kaito struggled to explain, knowing in his heart that he was messing this entire thing up. He wasn't getting across to her. "Aoko, if anything, you're too good for me."
"Just get out," she muttered, not looking at him.
He opened his mouth to argue, but she snapped back, cutting him off: "GET OUT! Aoko doesn't want to talk to you anymore! Get out! Get out! Get out!"
He sighed and got to his feet, turning back once he got to the door. "Aoko…" He gave a deep bow. "I'm sorry for being such a coward and not having the courage to tell you sooner. I'm really, really sorry."
Kaito came up slowly and slipped out into the hall. He pressed his back up against the wall and slid down to sit on the floor, not really caring about getting carpet fuzz or dirt on his black dress suit. He pulled out his phone and texted Hakuba.
The Brit came promptly and frowned at the sight of Kaito hunched up, sitting on the floor. He raised an eyebrow.
Kaito shook his head. "I totally blew it, and now she's just mad. Help?"
"Of course." Saguru nodded, resting a hand on his roommate's head and gently patting it. "I believe that that was just one of those conversations that could not be brought to a satisfying conclusion for either party no matter what clever words you used or how exactly you phrased it. Rejection hurts regardless, especially when there are so many years of passionate feelings tied up in it all…. You two have a lot invested in each other."
The blonde smiled in an encouraging manner down at Kaito. "You shouldn't despair too much, though, Kuroba. You two do have a great deal invested in each other, and there is a solid friendship between you. I highly doubt she's just going to walk away after all of that. I just can't think that even your strong foundation as friends would crumble just because your relationship is not being taken to a romantic level. She probably just needs some time to cool off and sort things out. Leave her alone for a month or so."
Kaito nodded, closing his eyes and leaning into Saguru's comforting touch. "Haku-chan, you always know just what to say to make it all better. You should be an advice columnist or a romance guru or something."
Saguru rolled his eyes and mumbled in embarrassment, "I only know what to say because I know you, Kuroba. I'd hardly be of any use to anyone else."
"So long as you're there for me," Kaito chuckled, smiling weakly up at his best friend.
"Oh, I've got too much invested in you to just leave you now," Saguru laughed, teasing softly. "Do remember that I originally hopped continents just to be with you."
"Haku-chan, you're so romantic," Kaito cooed, making his way to his feet. "You make my legs feel like jelly."
"That would be from you cutting off the circulation in your legs, sitting like that for too long, I expect, you silly git." Saguru reached out and pinched Kaito's nose while wearing a rather smug half-smirk. "Now go home and get some rest. I'll text you as soon as I get her back to her house."
Kaito nodded, turning to leave. "Thanks, Haku-chan…. I really appreciate it."
"Of course. Honestly, Kuroba, think nothing of it," Saguru assured.
Kaito bit his lip but nodded again. "Right. I'm counting on you."
"And your trust is in the right place," Saguru chuckled, giving Kaito a gentle push. "I haven't failed you yet, have I?"
Kaito shook his head, an almost genuine smile settling onto his face.
"Alright. Then go already," Hakuba urged, and the magician set off after another round of heartfelt thanks.
Saguru took a deep breath as he prepared to knock on the ladies' room's door. "Aoko-kun? Are you in there? It's Hakuba."
He waited nearly a minute and a half (in reality, it was eighty-six seconds and some change) before he rapped on the door again. "Aoko-kun? …Aoko-kun, are you alright?"
He bit his lip and knocked once more. "Aoko-kun, please say something. You know full well that I can't come in there after you, and I'm quite concerned about you, so…please won't you answer?"
He waited thirty-two seconds more before trying, "Would you rather I get one of the female officers? Would you feel more comforta—"
The bathroom door opened just a crack, only enough room to perhaps pass a grain of rice through.
"I-It's fine," Aoko sniffled on the other side of the door. "Aoko's fine, Hakuba-kun. You don't have to worry about me."
"Aoko-kun…" Saguru bit his lip. It was killing him to see (hear) the woman he loved in such a state. "No, I imagine you are certainly not fine, and it would be deplorable of me as a gentleman to leave you in such a condition. If you'd like, you may remain in there until you calm down, and then I shall escort you home. If you'd rather, Aoko-kun, I'm always here at your service and willing to listen and talk things out. If you'd prefer, I could always just walk you home now, if you wanted to mourn in privacy."
"Aoko's fine on her own," Aoko protested weakly.
"Aoko-kun, I won't insist on you confiding in me, but I will see you safely home this evening. It is late at night and too dangerous for a beautiful young woman such as yourself to be walking around Tokyo dressed as you are past the time of night when the trains have stopped running. You don't have to talk to me. You don't have to look at me. You don't even have to acknowledge my existence, but I will escort you to your abode."
"…The trains are still running," Aoko argued half-heartedly after a beat.
"They won't be by the time you manage to walk to the nearest station in those crippling torture devices you have strapped to your feet," Saguru replied just a little roughly.
There was silence on the other side of the door and then, "I don't want you to see me like this. I'm ugly."
Saguru sighed, turning so that his back rested against the wall next to the door. "Aoko-kun, you are aware that I'm in love with you…aren't you? I mean…I will be formally confessing at a later date, but…you do have some idea of how I feel for you, don't you?"
"U-Un," she replied almost inaudibly, cheeks turning an even darker shade of crimson than the one already painted on her face thanks to her tears. "Aoko knows." This was another one of those conversations that she really didn't feel like having tonight.
Saguru nodded, trying to take her seeming indifference to his love in stride. "Good. And you're very intelligent Aoko-kun, so I gather that you can extrapolate that, logically, since I am in love with you, I would praise you as a goddess among women even when clothed in jogging sweats. Are we agreed?"
"Un," she responded again, shifting nervously just a foot or two away on the other side of the door. "Ha-Hakuba-kun…"
"Not that my opinion holds any weight with you," he continued in a mutter. "Aoko-kun, I know that what I think doesn't count for much to you, but—"
"—Stop calling me 'Aoko-kun'." She suddenly switched topics.
The authority and indignation with which she said it threw Saguru a little off balance. He blinked. "Very well. What would you have me call you?"
"…Just 'Aoko'. We've been friends for a few years now, haven't we? If you have to add anything, add '-san', but stop calling me 'Aoko-kun'." He could hear the blush on her cheeks in her voice.
"…Aoko," he tested it out, but it sounded too familiar, too intimate, bare as it was like that. It wouldn't do to try to fool himself and others into thinking that they were any closer than they really were. "-san," he finished after a brief pause. "Aoko-san, would you prefer to be taken home now, or would you like to wait until you've collected your composure a bit more?"
She sighed softly, opening the door and stepping out into the hall with a defiant look on her face, as if she was just daring him to make something of her smeared makeup and puffy red eyes.
He smiled softly, resisting the urge to smooth her hair or touch her cheek. Instead he took out his pocket handkerchief and wiped away the smudges and nearly dried tears. "There," he breathed. "Radiant."
Her cheeks turned fuchsia as the defiant look hardened. "Let's go already."
"As you wish." Saguru bowed slightly and motioned for her to lead the way with an air of "Ladies first".
She snorted as if his very existence offended her, but he knew that she was just embarrassed and grieving what she had thought to be her one true love.
Saguru got their coats and held up Aoko's for her to slip on, but she grabbed it away from him and insisted on doing it herself. He dipped his head in a courteous bow once more, much like a butler dutifully accepting the attitude of his young mistress, and he let her do as she wished. He knew Aoko was in pain, so he didn't take her cold behavior personally.
"Aoko-san, why don't we take a taxi?" Saguru suggested as Aoko passed up the taxi stand. "I'll pay for it, so, really, the cost is no issue. Like I mentioned before, the trains won't be running by the time we reach the station."
"Aoko wants to walk," she insisted stubbornly even as he tried to dissuade her.
Seeing that she would not relent, he finally gave up, mentally assuring himself that they could always call for a cab along the way because inevitably her feet would tire and she would eventually be unable to walk any further.
They walked on without speaking for a good ten minutes before Saguru finally broke the silence. "Did you want to talk about it, Aoko-san? …If so, I was serious about being there to listen…. If not…that's fine as well."
For at least another minute Aoko didn't respond, but then she quietly whispered, "He talks to you, right?"
Saguru shrugged. "Kuroba? Whenever the whim strikes him, he does. Sometimes he blabbers on and on whether I want him to or not, and sometimes he clams up and refuses to tell me anything. Why do you ask?"
"Did he tell you what Aoko did wrong?" She was trying very, very hard not to let her voice crack.
Saguru stopped suddenly, stunned by her words. He slowly turned, and his brow wrinkled in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"What Aoko did wrong that made Kaito stop…stop loving Aoko." Her voice did break that time.
He steered her over to a bench and sat her down, pulling out his pocket handkerchief and dabbing away at her eyes as the tears started to fall once more. Eventually he gave up the herculean task of trying to keep her face dry and handed the handkerchief over so that she could do damage control on her own. He decided to focus on comforting her with words. "Aoko-san, it wasn't anything that you did. Trust me."
Aoko blinked, looking up at Saguru in a bit of a daze, as if she couldn't quite get her head around the concept. Surely she had to have done something, but…the way Hakuba spoke…so firmly and with such certainty. It made her start to doubt.
And then he continued, "Aoko-san, I assure you that Kuroba still cares for you very, very much. He just…he thinks of you as…more of his dear sister than a prospective wife. It wasn't anything that you did or didn't do that made his feelings towards you change, Aoko-san. The change has been gradual yet steady over the past few years. When we first met in high school, Kuroba was very much in love with you, but…over time, I believe he's realized that he's not suitable for you."
"Why does everyone keep saying that?" Aoko growled as she stood up unsteadily. She took a minute to get her balance before she started to storm off slowly in her heels. "Why does everyone think that Kaito's no good for Aoko?! Why does everyone else get to decide that?!"
Saguru got to his feet as well and quickly caught up with his beloved. "Because Kuroba has changed over the years. He keeps secrets from you, and, honestly, there's a part of him that you don't know about, that he's kept hidden from you, that you would absolutely be unable to accept. I am not at liberty to discuss his affairs with you, Aoko-san, but know that he's not entirely the man you think he is."
"Kaito's not bad!" she screamed back at him. She balled her hands into fists and it was beginning to look like she'd pummel him if he continued to impugn Kuroba's honor. "Aoko won't let you say bad things about Kaito!"
Saguru nodded, taking an emotional step back from the situation. "Of course Kuroba's not bad. Kuroba is one of the best, most honorable men I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Deep down he's a good man with a good heart, but that doesn't change the fact that he lies to you and keeps secrets and breaks promises. Aoko-san, in order to have a healthy relationship, in order to create a good marriage, the participants have to be honest with each other. One has to build a lifetime partnership on trust, and you can't do that with Kuroba."
Aoko looked down at her feet and slowed her pace even more as she struggled to absorb what Hakuba was telling her.
He continued softly, "That being said, Aoko-san, it's not your fault. You haven't done anything to lose his affections. You've done nothing wrong, so please don't blame yourself. Kuroba is the one who's changed. It's not that you messed things up or that you're not good enough, so please don't think that."
Aoko nodded almost imperceptibly, still processing.
They walked a little further in silence, each dealing with their own thoughts.
"Thank you," Aoko mumbled a few minutes later. Her voice was quiet and weak, so he almost didn't hear it.
"You're very welcome," Saguru assured, fighting the urge to reach out and touch her. He wanted to hold her, to offer some tangible form of comfort, but he knew that it wasn't his place and that his attempts to help would not be appreciated. All he could do for now was stand beside her and reassure her that everything would be okay. "I just wish there were more I could do for you," he sighed, truly frustrated at his own uselessness.
She shook her head and wiped away her tears with his handkerchief. "You're doing more than enough, Hakuba-kun. Thank you…and sorry. Sorry that Aoko is being so rude and ungrateful."
Saguru shook his head and smiled lovingly at her. "I understand completely, and I assure you that I won't hold it against you."
"Thank you," Aoko muttered again.
Silence descended upon the pair once more as they fell into step beside one another.
"Are you quite warm enough?" Saguru inquired as they entered the final leg of their thirty minute walk back to the Nakamori residence. "You're more than welcome to my coat, if you need it."
She shook her head, still gazing at her own feet. "Hakuba-kun's too nice."
"Not at all. How are your feet doing?" He cast a worried glance downward, but the appendages in question were hidden by Aoko's dress for the most part. "From what I can see, they look okay, but it's so cold, and you're wearing those ridiculous shoes."
"They're not too bad." She shrugged.
"Take mine. I'll walk barefoot." He stopped and began to pull his shoe off.
"Hakuba-kun, no," she protested. "Aoko's not wearing your shoes."
"Let me call a cab, then. I'm worried about you. I should have called one ten minutes ago. I never should have let you walk all this way in the first place," he insisted.
She kept walking. "It's only about ten more minutes. By the time the cab gets here it won't make much difference. It's better to walk than to just sit and wait out in the cold. Come on. Let's go."
Saguru sighed as he realized that she was right. He should have insisted upon the cab at the very start. "I'm sorry, Aoko-san," he whispered as he came up beside her once more. "You're sure you're alright?"
"Stop apologizing. Aoko's fin—ah!" Just then, the heel of her shoe snapped, sending her falling towards the pavement.
Saguru instinctively reached out to catch her.
They blinked in surprise, staring at each other for a minute before righting themselves, pulling away and displaying suitable levels of embarrassment.
And then they surveyed the damage done.
"You're not going to be able to walk like that," Saguru observed, biting his bottom lip as possible solutions filtered through his mind. Finally he arrived upon an acceptable plan of action. "I'll carry you."
Aoko blinked incredulously. He could see the thought "You're gonna what?" as it scrolled through her mind.
He picked her up bridal style before she could protest, and then he fought to keep his mind in check. It had already started cooking up fantasies of carrying Aoko in a wedding dress and white picket fences and what their children would look like. And that all led to thoughts of having to police "Uncle Kaito" around the children lest he teach them how to pick locks or crack safes or disable security devices or plant bugs or, God forbid, dye the dog's fur neon rainbow colors. This made Saguru grimace, a look that, in the present moment, Aoko misinterpreted.
"Hakuba-kun, put Aoko down. Aoko can walk. She's so heavy!" the inspector's daughter urged with a cherry blossom blush painting her cheeks in the dim light that the streetlamp provided.
Saguru chuckled softly in embarrassment. "Sorry. You're fine, Aoko-san. You're barely over a hundred pounds. That face was…Sorry. I was just thinking that I need to keep Kuroba away from my future dog. I have a feeling he'll dye it bloody chartreuse."
"…Oh," she replied quietly, making a mental note not to ask next time.
And then that silence that was growing rather familiar fell upon them once more as Saguru struggled to keep the happily married couple fantasies at bay and Aoko did her best to think light, delicate, fat-free thoughts. She was suddenly regretting going back for seconds of those cheesecake bites. What if Hakuba told her she was fat like Kaito always had?
Mercifully they arrived at the house before too much longer.
Saguru carefully set Aoko down, and then they both shifted awkwardly, unsure of what to say.
"Well," Saguru cleared his throat, nervously fingering the collar of his dress shirt. "I suppose I should take my leave now."
He bit his lip and hesitated.
She was staring back at him biting her own lip with a look on her face that told him to stay.
"Hakuba-kun?" she gulped.
"Y-Yes?" He stood up a little straighter.
"Thank you." Aoko bent at the waist, coming into a full, deep bow. "Thank you for everything, and, again, sorry."
"Not at all," he laughed, politely returning the bow. "It really was my pleasure being able to escort you home, and it's really nothing to worry about."
"Still…" She raised her head and looked right at him again with those lovely cornflower eyes. "Thank you."
"Of course," he assured, so tempted to kiss her, even though he knew that it just wouldn't do. No gentleman would take advantage like that, and it was perfectly clear that any advances on his part would be unwelcome. And so he bowed again, this time not so low. "Any time."
She was still looking at him when he came to standing once more, and now he was getting antsy. Just what was expected of him? What was he supposed to do?
"Hakuba-kun…you like Aoko, right?" She seemed to be holding her breath while she waited for his answer.
"Yes," he replied automatically. "Yes, absolutely."
She smiled softly, making his heart turn to bubbling goo and his cheeks glow cinnabar.
"…Then…will you go out with Aoko…Saguru?" Slowly she leaned in and pressed her lips against his in a chaste, hesitant kiss.
His brain had joined his heart in liquefying when she had called him by his given name, and so his reaction time was very poor when it came to gently pulling back, away from the soft lips that he had been dreaming about kissing for years now.
"No," he whispered, and it took all of his willpower to do so. "Not at the moment, no."
She blinked in confusion, brow furrowing in disappointment and tears beginning to well in the corners of her eyes. "But…why not?"
Saguru looked away but kept his body angled towards hers. He smiled gently. "Because you're not actually interested in me personally. What you're seeking right now is comfort in the form of a relationship. Maybe a few years ago I would have accepted the role of your rebound enthusiastically, but…someone has taught me that I have to respect myself more than that. They've taught me that I'm good enough to be in a real relationship with someone that truly cares for me…that I'm better than just being the guy that someone uses and loses."
"K-Kaito," she hazarded a guess.
Saguru nodded, looking back at her. "He's a good friend. He told me about two years ago that he liked me, so I'd better start liking me too. He said that it all started with a sense of self-worth, and I've since gained that. And so I refuse to enter into a relationship with you until you are feeling better and more emotionally stable and are able to see me as I am and accept me anyway. Until then, I'd be more than happy to comfort you and listen to you as your friend…. Are you alright?"
She nodded, unable to find her voice for a minute or two. "…Sorry," she finally whispered.
He shook his head, easily shrugging it off. "Like I've said before, I completely understand what with your current situation and think no less of you for it. Do you need anything before I head home? Is there anything I can do for you?"
She just looked at him for a minute, really looking at him for the first time. "…Saguru-kun really is really nice. Too nice to Aoko."
"Nonsense," he chuckled with a blush of embarrassment shading his cheeks. "Well…I should be on my way then."
"Will Saguru-kun come with Aoko tomorrow to do the temple visit?" she blurted out and then held her breath.
Saguru blinked, lips slightly parted as his brain processed. "O-Of course. I could pick you up at eleven, if you like."
Aoko nodded enthusiastically. "And…we could get lunch together afterwards?"
"Platonically, yes," he warily agreed, knowing he was susceptible to manipulation and easily swayed by her.
"And maybe walk in the park after that? Yoyogi Park?" she hesitantly started presenting her previously planned itinerary. Originally she'd thought she'd be spending the day with her new boyfriend Kaito, but…
"I suppose, yes," he gave another inch.
"And then maybe walking to Harajuku and window shopping?"
"By which time we'll probably need to get some non-romantic dinner," he added.
And then she smiled brightly, making his heart tap dance in his ribcage.
And then he knew it was time to leave because, really, one could only be a gentleman for so bloody long, and he had no business being there while she was emotionally vulnerable, wearing that captivating dress, and without her father at home. It had drained his entire storage of self-control for the week to pull away from her kiss earlier. He was no match for the temptation posed by the couches and the bedrooms if she were to invite him inside for tea.
"Good night, Aoko-san. I'll be by at eleven to pick you up," he assured with a polite smile and a brief bow. And then he turned and hightailed it out of there, barely waiting until she had finished her own farewell.
He called a cab and texted Kuroba "Mission Complete" as he rode back to the dorm.
…
Kaito was waiting up when Saguru got home. "So?"
Saguru shrugged in exhaustion, beginning to strip. "What?"
The magician stared at him in wide-eyed wonder, looking like some small, adorable woodland creature. "How did it go?" he groaned like the answer to Saguru's question had been obvious.
In retrospect, it was a little bit considering the situation, but Saguru was going to claim fatigue on that one. "I believe she'll be okay with time, Kuroba," he replied, knowing what it was that Kaito really cared about.
"What about you?" Kaito quickly returned. "Are you okay? Are you going to be okay?"
Saguru paused on undoing his belt buckle to really think about it. "…Perhaps. Interacting with her has always been trying because of her feelings for you at odds with my feelings for her, but…I think tonight things just got easier…in some respects, anyway. I feel like the real test is just now beginning. In all honesty, things will most likely just get harder from now on."
"I don't follow you." Kaito frowned in confusion from where he was rolling around on Saguru's bottom bunk.
"I believe I've agreed to be her platonic rebound. We're going on a not-date tomorrow. Well, technically, later today, but…" Saguru explained.
Kaito blinked, face impassive. He waited a beat for Saguru to start laughing and say that it was a joke or something, but after fifteen seconds of silence it was starting to look like the blonde was serious.
"What the hell are you thinking?" Kaito scoffed.
"Only that I love her and that she needs me." Saguru shrugged again as he slipped into his pajamas. "Out of my bed or scoot over, Kuroba."
Kaito inched to the right.
"Seriously?" Saguru grumbled when he realized that the magician had no intention of actually vacating the bunk.
"And you're going to be okay being her boyfriend but not actually being her boyfriend at the same time?" Kaito gave his friend a skeptical look.
"Yes, because things will be one hundred percent platonic between us. I'm not her boyfriend, I'm her friend, and I intend to be there for her as a friend until she is emotionally well enough to be in a serious relationship." Saguru rolled over onto his side with his back to Kaito, hoping that his roommate would take the hint and go sleep in his own bed or at least cut the chitchat.
"I don't think this is any good for you, Haku-chan…. I'm worried about you," Kaito whispered in the darkness.
"You're worried that I won't be able to say no to her…that I'll give in to her and that she'll end up hurting me," Saguru surmised.
"Well, yeah," Kaito lightly snorted as if it were obvious.
"To be honest, I'm a little worried myself, but…she did kiss me tonight, and I was able to pull back and tell her no. I was very clear with her about where I stand and how I have no intention of letting myself be so caught up in her that I compromise my self-respect and all that, so…I did try to set some boundaries." Saguru frowned in worry, seriously concerned that he might have made a mistake.
"Good," Kaito breathed in relief. "So long as you stick to your guns about it. I'll be there to police you on it, though."
"Thank you," Saguru returned with sincerity. "I probably will need the help from time to time until she actually starts seeing me for me…which may take a few years."
"It's not like I'm going anywhere," Kaito chuckled.
Saguru grimaced. "Yes. I do seem to be stuck with you, don't I?"
This earned him Kaito's retribution in the form of nuzzling. "You know you love me," Kaito announced as he rubbed his nose against Saguru's neck and ear and hair.
"I honestly don't know why I tolerate you. Now stop. Stop that," Saguru commanded, but even his voice was tired, and there was no force behind the words.
"Because we're bestest best friends!" Kaito sang, and Saguru gave up.
"I suppose so. Don't you have your own bed to sleep in?" All he really wanted to do was close his eyes and drift off to sleep.
"That bed's cold. I've already been working on warming this one up for an hour and a half now, and I'm unwilling to let you enjoy the fruits of my labor while I lie shivering." Kaito gave a proud snort.
"For the love of…" Saguru took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "It would only take a few minutes to warm up your own bed."
"Mmhm, but that's beside the point," Kaito chuckled, mood swinging rapidly in a way that would worry those not accustomed to Kaito. "So?"
"So what?" Saguru drawled sleepily.
"How was the kiss?"
Saguru blushed a brilliant shade of scarlet to rival that of a London phone booth or a Tokyo postbox. He muttered something under his breath so low that not even Kaito's ears could pick it up.
"Hn? What was that? Sordid details, Haku-chan! Sordid details! Share!" Kaito urged like a three year-old.
"There was nothing sordid about it," Saguru corrected turning over to face his eternal tormentor. "It was…innocent…and shy. She just barely brushed her lips to mine."
Kaito blinked in surprise. "Really? That's it?"
"Yes," Saguru insisted.
"Just like this?" Kaito moved in for a peck before Saguru could stop him.
Saguru's mouth fell open and he stared back at Kaito in incredulity. "Yes. Just like that, but not God-awful and repulsive and vomit-inducing, among many other horrible things that that thing you did just now was."
Saguru sat up, grabbed a pillow, and repeatedly socked Kaito with it as the magician cackled, finding the whole ordeal inappropriately funny.
"Die, vile creature," Saguru hissed, but soon he tired of simply hitting Kaito with the pillow and instead tried to suffocate the magician. "Suffer and die and then be reborn as a bug which I can crush underfoot."
"Haku-chan, stop!" Kaito shrieked in laughter, arms and legs all flailing as he attempted (half-heartedly) to fight Saguru off.
The pillow got kicked away in the scuffle, and several minutes later found Saguru straddling Kaito with his hands around the magician's throat.
Kaito looked up at him breathlessly, gasping for air between laughs.
Saguru sighed, releasing his light hold in favor of flicking Kaito on the forehead. "Idiot…. I suppose I shouldn't kill you in my bed. It'd be rather obvious who the culprit was."
"You could always say that we were doing something kinky and things went a bit too far," Kaito suggested helpfully.
Saguru frowned and gave Kaito's throat another well-deserved squeeze.
"So you had a good first kiss, then?" Kaito smiled innocently up at Saguru, as if the thief had done nothing wrong.
Saguru returned to contemplations of murder once more. "May I remind you that that was not my first kiss? You stole that. Remember? Senior year of high school? My birthday party? Inflatable flamingos?"
Kaito smirked, chuckling at the memory. "Oh yeah." And then he noticed that Saguru was glaring down murderously at him. He quickly put on a penitent expression. "Right. Again, sorry about that. Totally my bad and completely inexcusable."
"Idiot," Saguru sighed, rolling off of his roommate and retrieving the lost pillow. He straightened the sheets as best as he could around Kaito before climbing back in. "Go to sleep before I really do decide to finally kill you."
But Kaito wasn't done talking yet. "I kissed Shinichi too, you know," he announced softly, equal parts wonder and disbelief in his voice.
Saguru turned to stare at his friend. "You did? And he let you?"
Kaito blushed, squirming a little in a mix of pride and embarrassment. "Well, it was just on the cheek, but…he didn't punch me or anything or look grossed out, so…"
"Good. I'm glad," Saguru replied, and he really did mean it. "…Kuroba…when exactly was it that you started to like—"
"—Guys?" Kaito chimed in with a sheepish chuckle.
"No," Saguru corrected. "I've been aware of your sexual preferences since not long after we met. I was going to ask when you'd developed feelings for Kudo Shinichi. To my knowledge, you two haven't had much interaction. I'm a little concerned about your just diving right into a relationship with this guy."
"We're not diving in; we're not actually dating yet," Kaito grumbled. "And how did you know I liked guys? I didn't even know I liked guys until…I guess like a year or so ago, so…how did you know before I did?"
Saguru just smiled. "Your behavior gives you away. Most of it is subconscious, but…the Kaitou Kid has an uncanny habit of hitting on other males just as often as, if not, more so than, females, and it's a very common occurrence, him dressing up as a woman. Most of the time you remain very professional while in your disguise, but I noticed that you rather enjoy the attention you garnered from males in particular. There was also the more conclusive evidence that you…uh…well…I often caught you staring at my butt. While I surmised that you didn't consider me as a prospective romantic partner, your habit of ogling me had some…implications as to your preferences."
"Oh." Kaito nodded as he chewed uncomfortably on his lips. "Huh."
"Right. And…about Kudo?" Saguru kindly did not dwell on the previous subject.
"Yeah…Shinichi…" Kaito hummed, wondering just how much exactly he wanted to say. "I met him while you were out of the country. It was that clock tower heist. I thought the whole thing was going to be a cakewalk without you there, but…he could see through me…anticipate me at every turn. Being read like that was…it was different from the way you make a nuisance of yourself."
"Hey now," Saguru interjected. "Though, I suppose I can be honored that the great Kaitou Kid considers me a nuisance."
"He knew exactly what I would do," Kaito continued, feeling his body tingle as he remember how that first time going head to head with Kudo Shinichi had felt. "And each time I realized that he had seen through me and my tricks one after another…it felt like a little electric shock…like getting your wires crossed. It was thrilling, and I actually kinda liked how it felt. At first I thought that I'd just found a good rival; I didn't realize how I really felt until much later."
Saguru nodded, but he was now worried. "So…you're planning on basing this relationship on how he made you feel when on a heist, only without letting him find out that you're really a thief? He's already suspicious of you, you know. He doesn't seem like the type that would trap and betray you from what he said when I spoke to him, but…do you know for sure that you trust him, Kuroba? Are you really willing to risk everything for the way he made you feel once?"
"Not just once," Kaito corrected. "That wasn't the only time. You know how we were talking before about how Shinichi had been gone for a while and you suspected he'd gotten mixed up in something really nasty? During that time, those two years while he was in hiding, he still came to Kid's heists. He's been chasing me for two years, and every time I go up against him, he makes me feel…I don't know. I just can't describe it, but…when the heist's over and I start thinking about how I don't know when I'll see him again…then I feel cold. It's like all the heat's been sucked out of the air. Hollow," Kaito whispered. "Empty."
Saguru nodded, knowing the feeling well. "You really are in love with him."
"Yeah," Kaito sighed. "I don't know what I'm going to do if I can't make him feel the same way about me."
"I wouldn't worry too much about that," Saguru chuckled softly. "From what I observed, he's on his way there. However, if it should come to it, I believe we get a gallon of Rocky Road ice cream and eat it in its entirety while watching chick flicks. It's also my understanding that we slash his tires and spread terrible rumors that he's bad in bed and secretly balding or that he doesn't shower or sweats profusely or something equally embarrassing in order to disqualify him as a potential mate to future romantic partners."
Kaito blinked, staring at his best friend, unable to believe what had just come out of Hakuba's mouth. "…Seriously?"
"I believe that that's the tradition," Saguru replied, quite seriously. "You could also cut your hair to symbolize a new chapter of your life beginning, but eating ice cream, watching terrible movies, and spreading gossip sounds like more fun, so…"
"And you'd be willing to do these things with me?" Kaito raised an eyebrow at his roommate.
"Of course." Saguru shrugged. "Not that it matters if I'm willing or not; it's in the 'best friend' job description. I'm required to be there for you during your time of suffering in order to offer support and make sure that you don't go overboard and get fat or arrested."
Kaito turned his head so as to muffle his giggle fit in the pillow. "Haku-chan, have I told you how awesome you are recently?"
"Not terribly recently, but do save your breath and go to sleep, Kuroba. It's ridiculously early in the morning, and I have a not-date later today that I'd really like to be well rested for."
But Kaito refused to sleep and only ended up changing topics. "Speaking of dates, I can't believe that I get to see Shinichi again in just a few hours!"
Saguru sighed, rolling over so that his back was to Kaito yet again. He could tell that this was going to be a long night.
…
Mikau: There. See? I told you it was long. Next chapter is turning out to be about the same length. I've just got a really rough draft of it done, though, so things could change. I'll try to have it polished and up for next week. Thanks for tuning in, guys! A thought: Kaito and Saguru's floormates at the dorm probably hate them. They're so loud in the middle of the night. The floormates are probably too scared of Kaito to complain, though. Poor dears. Anyway, what did you think? Yes, I know there's no direct KaiShin in this chapter, but you'll have plenty of that in chapter three. I hope you liked it. Thanks so much for reading, and thanks in advance for your reviews, everyone! Have an awesome week!
