this chapter was written by the co-author of this fanifiction [incidentally the author of lunar eclipse], Invader-sah. much thx to her. and again with Darth animus, for bein' teh loyal! much hearts for yeh! also, i owns teh nadda except half teh plotsz!


"Honey, I'm home~!" Golden glazed brown flickered open at the almost musical exclamation, gazing with hidden amusement through the fog simmering from his coffee cup. Lifting the mug to his lips Hakuba Sagura took a delicate sip, considering his many responses carefully. Should he respond with hostility? No…there was no harm in playing the other's game.

Grinning to himself the teenage detective lowered his coffee to the table, propping his chin up on one hand. "Well, how was my lovely bride's day?" He called back – a stunned silence. Smirking to himself he swirled the dark liquid around in his cup while waiting for his visitor to regain their balance. After several minutes, slightly suspicious blue eyes glanced around the corner, eyeing him with open weariness.

However, the other obviously spotted the playful gleam in Hakuba's eyes, because moments later they rounded the corner with a grin and a sassy sway of the hips. "Why, how sweet of you to ask," came the chirping response as Kuroba Kaitou, both the source of all Hakuba's frustrations and all his secret amusement, trotted into his kitchen with no further hesitations. "I hung out with Mary and Sue today – but, gods, Sue was like, totally a bitch all day long. I am so not inviting her to my slumber party next week."

Lifting his mug to disguise the massive smile on his face the siren observed as the teenage magician helped himself to his fridge; it was rare, these moments, when the two of them would banter back and forth like friends. They weren't friends – not really. Most of the time Hakuba treated Kaitou like an annoyance, and in response Kaitou treated Hakuba like he was a stuck up prick. But then there would be the rare occasion where they'd pretend they got along.

And sometimes, Hakuba wished it wasn't just a pretense…if only he could reach out and pull the other to him, without fear of repercussions; for there would, certainly, be repercussions for such a sinful thing as to touch that which was untouchable. Kaitou Kuroba was that very untouchable thing, and the aching siren knew full well that he was but one of many who wished to lay their claim upon that lithe form.

But when he had that very figure currently rummaging through his shelving units, it was very hard to resist at least a moment of teasing. Especially when Kaitou leaned down to search through the fridge, his words coming out muffled, "Good lord, do you have nothing edible in this house at all? Where's all the chocolate!?"

Despite all self-warnings, Hakuba was unable to resist the temptation. Setting his mug down on the table he slid from his chair, stepping soundlessly behind the hungry magician currently scavenging his cupboards, and caught Kaitou about the waist, drawing him from the cheese cubes and to his chest.

"I could offer you so much more, if only you'd let me." He whispered into Kaitou's ears – and instantly a tension rippled through the form currently trapped in his arms. Clearly, the human did not approve of the sirens manhandling of him.

"Okay there, whoa, my personal space is so being breached right now." Kaitou squeaked – yes, squeaked – and began to squirm in the sirens grip, a noticeable reddening to his cheeks making Hakuba smile.

Deciding to take pity on the human, Hakuba released his captive with a casual sort of shrug. "Then stop stealing all my chow mein and we'll talk," he stated, closing the fridge door with a click of finality.

Which earned him a rather miffed expression; something that Kaitou was quick to recover from. "You wouldn't really deprive your beautiful wife of whatever her heart desires, would you?" Kaitou purred, snatching a bag of chips from the counter and plopping himself down on the kitchen counter.

Hakuba couldn't help but admire how quick the human recovered. "Share; or I'll tie fish to that hair-gelled mess of yours." He growled playfully – he wouldn't, really, but it was worth the lie just to see that small flicker of unease in Kaitou's eyes.

"Okay, fish is so not necessary; ever." Kaitou muttered, obediently holding the bag out so Hakuba could retrieve some. "Also, I take offense to that. I never used gel; it's all natural." The magician stated with a small huff, combing his fingers dramatically through his hair.

This caused the siren to roll his eyes in disbelief, even as he grabbed a handful of chips from the bag and popped them into his mouth with a crunch. "Uhuh; I'm sure." Was his sarcastic response, before Hakuba shooed the human off his counter. "Come'on; I rented a movie you might like."

Kaitou instantly grinned. "For me? I'm touched!" He squealed, hopping off the counter and flouncing into Hakuba's living room, the siren following with an amused grin.

After several moments of arguing over who got to sit where, who got to control the remote, and exactly whom did or did not eat all the chips while Hakuba was locating the movie – thus forcing him to fetch more – the two not-friends were settled comfortably on the couch.

Only for Kaitou to pass out half an hour into the film, having overdosed on chips. Hakuba didn't take offense – how could he, when Kaitou Kuroba was currently leaning against him, head on his shoulder, with the cutest smile on his face ever.

Instead the siren just resituated himself, careful not to disturb the slumbering magician; settling with his back to the chair and Kaitou curled against his chest.

That done, Hakuba hooked his arms around Kaitou's waist and smiled, returning his attention to the movie currently flickering across the screen. In the end, he couldn't have told anyone what the plot was, as he stopped paying attention halfway through in favor of running his fingers through Kaitou's hair.

Which, much to his chagrin, was as soft and gel-free as the magician had bragged.


happy valentines all! :3

plz r&r