All from the same set of 5 words.
Prompt #52: chips
Prompt#53: generator
Prompt#54: can
Prompt#55: corpse
Prompt#56: party
I dedicate this chapter to neonquincy1217, who was my partner in crime for this chapter and a tremendous help with the whole murder thing and the background story *glomps quincy* You rock!
Of forgotten birthdays and broken families
"Kaitoooooo!"
"What?" he called back, putting on his shirt the wrong way in his haste to get to the door.
"Kaitoooooo!"
"What is it?"
He opened the door and glared at his best friend. Waking him up at such an unholy hour, really...
She pushed past him and stood in the hallway, hands on her hips.
"Were you still asleep? Geez, Kaito, the day's almost over!"
"It's a Sunday, I can sleep in." he grumbled, before his mouth ripped open in a drawn-out yawn.
Aoko 'tsked' and shook her head, before turning around and bouncing to the kitchen.
Kaito stared after her for a moment, his mind still a bit sleep-befuddled, before dragging his feet forward in pursuit.
She was bustling around the kitchen, opening drawers and cupboards, taking things out and moving them around … it was too much commotion for him to follow. He slumped into a chair at the table and with a 'thud' his head landed on the table.
Aoko stopped at the sound and looked at him with a small frown – that was soon replaced by a soft smile and she fired up the coffee machine.
"Whatch'a doing here anyway? Is' way too early, Ahoko." he mumbled tiredly and turned his head slightly to be able to look at her.
"Don't tell me you forgot!"
"..."
She let out an exasperated sigh. "You really forgot." But instead of explaining what the hell it was, that he had forgotten, she filled a cup with coffee and planted it on the table, right in front of his face. "There. Drink that and wake up already. I need your help. And we don't have much time, because you're so lazy."
Slowly, he brought a hand up and wrapped his fingers around the cup.
"Ow – it's hot!" Of course the first sip had scalded his tongue. But it really wasn't fair – the cup was so comfortably warm on the outside, while the brew inside was burning hot, luring unsuspecting drinkers into a false sense of security. Also, it tasted terrible, because who on earth drank coffee without sugar? He said as much aloud and Aoko just shook her head in mild amusement, resuming her former task of searching the cupboards for the needed tools and ingredients.
The caffeine did do its magic though, and a few minutes later the cup was empty and Kaito definitely more alert.
"So, why are you here again? Is it 'annoy poor, innocent Kaito by depriving him of his much needed beauty sleep'-day again?"
Huffing indignantly, she grabbed a measuring cup and threw it at him. He caught the flying plastic container effortlessly, eliciting another huff, and juggled it with one hand, while he refilled his cup with the other one.
"It's your birthday, Bakaito! I can't believe you actually forgot. And you don't need beauty sleep."
"Oh." he replied lamely and absently poured milk and sugar into his coffee. He'd honestly forgotten his own birthday – that had to be a first. Then again, with all the heists he'd been pulling over the last few weeks, on top of college and keeping up appearances with his friend and a certain blond detective .. suffice to say that there were things more important than birthdays to worry about. Then his brain caught up to the rest of what she'd said.
"Are you trying to tell me that I'm pretty?"
"What- .. I – no, that's not what I meant!" He couldn't help but cackle at her flustered response and threw one of his deliberately flirtatious smiles at her. The deep scarlet blush that spread over her cheeks was well worth it. The following assault with various kitchen instruments less so.
"Look at the mess you've made!" Aoko pointed at the kitchen, that truly looked like a hurricane had decided to stop by for a cup of tea.
"That I made? You started throwing all that stuff around!" Kaito defended himself and bent down to pick up a can of dried fruit.
"Hmpf. You deserved it for being such a jerk."
"What did I do? I was only being my charming self."
"Charming self, my ass..." she muttered, but, in favor of actually getting the mess cleaned up, kept the rest of her thoughts to herself.
With their joined efforts, it didn't take too long to bring the kitchen back to a semi-orderly state and Aoko continued with her original plan: prepare cake, put cake in the oven, decorate house while cake is baking, throw extraordinarily good party for Kaito. In exactly that order.
At first, Kaito tried to be helpful, but she shooed him out of the room after just a few minutes with the words "You're not helping, at all. Go get dressed properly and start decorating, if you want to do something."
"What's wrong with my clothes?" he mumbled as he was shoved outside and the door closed in his face. No answer.
So he went back to his room and put on some (in his opinion) decent clothes, before going downstairs again. He stood in the living room for a while, just looking around and wondering what kind of decoration Aoko had in mind. And if she would mind if he took a bit of creative liberty.
"Are you sure you put enough chocolate chips in the cake?"
A quiet sigh. "Yes."
"Are you really sure?"
"Yes, Kaito."
"Are you really, really sure?"
"OUT!"
The door clicked shut once again and he stared at it, feeling just a little bit left out.
All in all, it wasn't too bad, he mused. Considering that it all had been a bit last-minute, it was going well. Thanks to Aoko. Not that he would admit that to her, but she'd really outdone herself, especially on the cake. The cake was a masterpiece, with lots of chocolate, whipped cream, more chocolate, and other delicious things.
Even Hakuba had decided to play nice today and hadn't made a single remark about him being KID.
Of course, there had been a few mishaps, like the time when someone managed to knock over a whole bunch of bottles and his feet got soaked in a disgusting smelling puddle of 'mix-all-the-alcohols' . Or when Aoko slipped and almost dropped the cake - and she would have, if it hadn't been for Kaito's well honed reflexes. But overall, it was good and people were having fun.
Most of them, at least. Kaito couldn't get himself to fully enjoy the party and he'd seen two men argue before. He just hoped that they could resolve their issue peacefully – the last thing he needed was a fight.
"Kaito?"
"Mh?" he turned around and saw Aoko, looking at him expectantly, her cheeks glowing in an endearing red.
"So, what do you think?"
"About what?"
"The party, duh." She giggled, in a way that was completely unique to 'drunk Aoko'.
He put an arm around her shoulders and put on a smile. "It's great, thank you."
Frowning, she shook her head. "Nooo. You don't smile like that when you mean it. Stop lying!"
His laugh wasn't forced. It was just adorable, how she sounded almost like an innocent, little girl – while in a sober state that statement would have come out a lot more angry, potentially even accompanied by a few hits with a mop.
"I mean it, it's a great party. I just .. have some other things on my mind."
"Like what?" she prodded, a curious look on her face.
"It's nothing important. Don't worry about it." He laughed again at the sight of her pout.
"You never tell me stuff! Bakaito." And with that, she shook his arm off and went over to a group of other girls that were huddled together in the corner.
Then the lights went out. And the music. And well, basically anything that relied on electricity.
"Great. Just great." Muttering he fished a tiny flash light out of his pocket and turned it on.
It didn't help much, but it would be enough to guide him to the secret room, where he kept a portable generator that operated on batteries.
It took a little maneuvering to get the thing downstairs, in the dark no less, but he managed and soon the party continued, even though it was a little darker – then again, it wasn't like people minded too much about that.
"An' then ..my ma said, ya know what she said? 'He's not my son. My son would never do such a horrendous thing.' Tha' idiot had it coming for'a long time."
He couldn't believe what he was hearing. That bastard had nerves … He went over and roughly grabbed his brother at the shoulder.
"Yo, Takeo! Wha'ssup?"
"We need to talk." He was relieved that his voice was steady and cold, exactly as he wanted it to be. But his brother, in his drunken haze, was too stupid to catch on the silent 'in private'.
"Alone." he stressed the word and manhandled his brother outside, when he still wouldn't move. The generator made enough noise to drown out their conversation, he noted. That was good, so he didn't have to worry about people eavesdropping.
"What's wrong with you? Have you forgotten what I've done for you? You know, you could have been at least a little more thankful." He couldn't keep the spite out of his voice, but he really had it. He took the fall for the foolish actions of his brother and now the little brat just spew more lies about him, ruining his life.
He only found out today, how far his brother had gone. No wonder he couldn't get a job, if that ass told everyone what he had supposedly done.
"Ah, Takeo, man .. take it eaasy. 'Course I havn't forgotten. Was great what ya did back then-"
"Then why are you talking all this shit about me!?"
"Relaaax. It wassa long time ago, nobody giv's a shit."
He pushed him back and his brother stumbled, but didn't fall. In fact, he started to laugh.
"Geez, relax. I didn't do anythi-"
"You didn't do anything? You fucking piece of shit! After I risked everything for you, you repay me by destroying my life? Akiko left me because of this whole mess, I can't get a job, our parents despise me .. I have nothing left and it's all your fault!"
He was panting heavy, staring at his brother, waiting for a reaction … any reaction. But the dumbass just looked at him with glazed eyes, a foolish smile plastered on his face.
"Say something!"
"Why ya makin' sucha fuss? It's really no big dea-"
Something wild, primal, in him took over and he charged at his brother, crashing his fist into the idiot's face. "It IS a big deal. Are you really that stupid!?" Another punch, right on the nose, and a sickening, yet oddly satisfying crunch.
Blood trickled down his brother's face, over his mouth. "Takeo...chill..." His attempts to throw his older brother off were feeble.
"Don't tell me what to do! I've had it with you! I never-" punch, "should have-" punch, "stood up for you!"
His hands closed around the other's throat, pressing and squeezing. Maybe he could squeeze the stupidity out of him.
Arms flailed and fingernails scratched his hands, but he didn't even notice anymore. All that mattered was that he was finally in control and that he could show his brother how it felt to be suffocating.
"Hey, looks like the electricity is back on!" someone called and Kaito shifted, so he could see outside. Indeed, the windows of his neighbor's house glowed with the yellow shine of artificial light. A girl, whose name he didn't even know, pressed her shoulder against the light switch – and everyone squinted when the bright light suddenly assaulted their eyes.
"Turn that off!"
"Yeah, it was much cozier without!"
Shouts rang out and people started bickering. Kaito sighed.
"Kaiiiiitoooooo" He sighed again. Aoko definitely had enough for tonight and he'd personally make sure that all she got from now on was water.
She literally jumped at him, throwing her arms and legs around him. It reminded him of a picture of a capuchin monkey, that he'd seen on the internet. The monkey had been dangling from his caretaker in the same way.
"Aoko. Would you mind … I need to turn off the generator."
"Oh, Aoko can do that! Aoko's gonna help!"
He hesitated and threw a quick glance around the room. People were still arguing about whether or not the lights should be on – and some looked like they were ready to brawl. But Aoko was clearly drunk and he'd rather keep an eye on her.
More shouts and yells. They sounded definitely angry now.
"Okay. It's right outside, you can't miss it. Just push the big, red button. You got that?"
"Got it!"
She untangled her limbs and unsteadily made her way out of the room. He watched her, until she was out of sight, before turning around and starting his little walk of peace.
A magic trick here, a few calming words there – it went better than expected. That is, until Aoko screamed and his heart stopped.
Instantly everyone fell quiet and a second later, his heart began pumping again. In fact, it felt like it was about to break through his chest as he raced outside, thoughts running wild in his head.
Did something happen to her? Was she hurt? If someone tried to take advantage of her...
He skidded to a halt on the small grassy patch behind their house. "Aoko!"
Aoko stood here, a hand covering her mouth and trembling violently. Almost afraid of what he might see, he followed her gaze, that was fixed on a point near the droning generator.
Bile rose up in his throat when he saw the unmoving body, eyes wide open and a terrified look frozen on the man's blood-smeared face. He knew the man from college.
Tentative steps brought him closer to Aoko and he pulled her close. "Don't look."
She promptly buried her head in his chest, hands clinging to his shirt, and he could feel how her body shook with every muffled sob.
"Kuroba! What happened?"
Poker face .. poker face … poker face! Hakuba came to a stop next to him. The detective answered his own question as soon as he saw the body.
"I see. Kuroba, please call the police and make sure nobody contaminates the crime scene."
He wanted to, he knew someone needed to, and he wanted to get away from that corpse. But for some unfathomable reason, his legs wouldn't move and he couldn't even tear his eyes away.
Was he shaking? Or was that Aoko?
"Kuroba! Kuroba … damn it … Kuroba! … You there, in the green dress, please call the police! Kuroba!"
He could hear the voice, even understand the words, but it all sounded so far away .. and since when was there fire?
A head with blond hair positioned itself right in front him, blocking the view at...blond hair...
He blinked twice.
"Hakuba?"
"Glad to see that you're back, Kuroba. The police are on their way, but I already have a strong suspicion as to who the murderer is. The case should be wrapped up soon."
"The .. murderer? Case? Oh … yeah..."
Hakuba threw a sympathetic look at Aoko, whose crying had died down a little, but she still refused to look up.
"Why don't you take her back inside? And sit down. You don't look so good yourself."
He blinked again. Sitting down sounded good, his legs felt a bit wobbly. Nodding, he tapped Aoko on the shoulder and softly said "Let's go back inside. C'mon.".
"Yes." she whispered back and together they made their way back inside, leaving Hakuba to deal with the body. He kept one arm around her shoulder, steadying her and giving comfort at the same time.
People were crowded around the door and bombarded them with questions as soon as they came into hearing range.
What happened? Did someone die? Not really? Who died? What's going on? Why are the police coming? Are you okay? What's Hakuba-kun doing? Is the party over? Someone died, are you stupid?
Ignoring them all, he pushed through the crowd and led Aoko upstairs, where he gently lowered her onto his bed.
"Here." He took a blanket and covered her trembling form, before sitting down next to her and burying his face in his hands.
"What a mess..."
Bed sheets rustled beside him and a hand landed on his shoulder. He looked up in surprise. Aoko was sitting up, clutching the blanket, that was draped around her shoulders, with her other hand and looking at him with visible concern.
"Kaito … are you okay?"
"Fine." he mumbled. It sounded so unconvincing, it was pathetic. But he lost his poker face down there and couldn't find it now.
"Baka .. of course you're not fine. Guess it was a stupid question in the first place." She smiled weakly in an attempt to lighten the mood.
"Typical you then."
Aoko shook her head and he frowned. "What?"
"That's the best you can do? 'Typical you'? Really, I expected more from you." She sounded too cheery, too forced … but he appreciated what she was trying to do.
"Sorry, I'm just not .. I knew him, you know? And now he's..." He trailed off and a thick silence settled over the room.
A knock at the door broke them out of their grim thoughts."Kuroba? Are you in there?"
Hakuba.
He threw a questioning look at Aoko and after she nodded, he stood up and went over to open the door, putting something on his face that could pass as a poker face, if you didn't look too closely.
"I'm sorry to bother you, but the police are here and they would like to ask you a few questions. Both of you." the detective said immediately, wasting no time.
Well, that was to be expected.
Nodding, he replied "Okay, we'll be down in a second.", then, as an afterthought "Have you figured out who did it?"
He could barely resist the urge to roll his eyes at the smug expression on Hakuba's face.
"I have. It was-"
"Don't." Kaito interrupted curtly, earning him a confused frown. "I'll be there for your 'grand deduction' anyway, so .. save it."
"..If you say so. Well, I'll go ahead then. Don't let the police wait too long."
With a polite nod, the blond detective turned around and left.
Kaito stayed where he was, looking after his former classmate, his thoughts a thousand miles away.
"You heard him, we shouldn't let them wait. Let's go." Aoko's quiet voice spoke behind him, and she took his hand, interlacing their fingers.
He stared blankly at Hakuba, who – in typical detective demeanor – laid out every little detail of the case, somehow managing to capture everyone with his words.
"...so it wasn't very hard to deduce that the murderer was the victim's own brother, Fujioka Takeo."
Stunned silence followed and people threw wary looks around, searching for the accused.
"I- No, I would never kill my own brother! You can deduce all you want, but do you have any evidence?"
All eyes landed on the man, who had spoken. Kaito knew him as well, had seen him around campus a few times, and of course through his brother. He was a senior, if he remembered correctly.
Hakuba smiled confidently. "I would never accuse someone without solid proof. We found skin particles under the victim's fingernails and hairs that match the length and color of your hair. A simple DNA test should confirm that both belong to you. Also, if we compare the marks on his throat to your hands, I'm pretty sure they will match, and I have noticed that you rolled up your right sleeve, but not the left one. Unless I'm mistaken, we should find your brother's blood on it."
A moment passed in silence and Kaito could see how the pitiful mask of innocence shattered.
"He deserved it! He destroyed my life-" the man burst out and he couldn't help but cut in.
"So you destroyed his? Do you even understand what you've done? Whatever your brother did, you're still alive and had a chance at changing things for the better. What you did is irreversible."
People turned their heads to look at Kaito, then back at Takeo, then back at Kaito, as if they were following a tennis match.
"You don't understand! My brother was an idiot – a few years ago he did foolish things, and I took the blame! For everything, the drugs, the stealing, the lying. Our family hushed the whole thing up, but they never treated me the same. To them, I was basically dead. And my brother wasn't any better – instead of being thankful, he treated me like shit, like everyone else. Then he started all these rumors about me, about what I had done – when in reality, it was him who did all these things! My girlfriend left me, my parents threw me out and I can't get a job because that son of a bitch-"
"And you thought killing him would solve your problems?" Kaito wasn't sure how he managed to keep his voice this level and calm, when his stomach churned at the mere sight of the man - someone he had thought of as a friend - who had dared to kill someone in his home. And Aoko .. of all people, Aoko had to find the body .. it wasn't fair. She was a nice girl that cared too much, and this would haunt her for a long time to come.
Takeo faltered, shoulders slumping down. "I – no, I didn't mean to … I got so angry and then … I lost control."
The man remained silent after that while he was handcuffed. Only when he was led out by the police and passed Kaito, did he speak up again. "Kuroba-kun, I'm sor-" But the ice cold face of the usually cheerful jokester was enough to silence him. He didn't need to say anything, everything from his facial expression to his body posture spoke 'Get out of my house and pray to god that we'll never cross paths again'.
Not long after, people started leaving, conversing in quiet whispers on their way out and eventually, only three remained.
"I'll better get going too… I'm sorry that this happened, Kuroba." Hakuba voiced softly after a minute of silence.
Kaito sighed. "Me too. Thanks for solving the case."
"No need to thank me, it's what I do. Good night, Kuroba, Aoko-kun."
They bid their farewells and when the door shut behind Hakuba, they were left alone in silence again.
"Kaito?" Aoko asked timidly. He responded with a questioning hum.
"Can I .. can I stay here, tonight? I don't want to be alone..." She shuffled her feet and watched him expectantly, almost nervous.
Not that he would say it out loud .. but he didn't want to be alone either.
"Yeah, sure."
Her face visibly lit up and he couldn't help but smile a little at the sight.
They moved a bunch of pillows and blankets into the living room and snuggled in, deciding to watch a movie … mostly to distract themselves from the catastrophic end of the party.
"Today is father's day." Aoko said out of the blue, about halfway through the movie.
He shifted uncomfortably under the mountain of blankets. "It is."
She picked up on the silent 'But I don't want to talk about it. Or him. Or anything else.' and instead just moved closer and snuggled up against him.
And that's how he woke up the next morning, Aoko curled up next to him, one of her arms draped across his chest and her head resting on his shoulder, a content smile on her lips, as if the last night had never happened.
A/N
I'm not very creative lately when it comes to titles, am I? Anyway.. what did you think of the murder? Of course, it wasn't much of a mystery, but it wasn't intended to be one, so that's fine. But I've never written a murder at all before, so yeah.. And I was unsure about whether or not I should include the part from Takeo's PoV - did it feel out of place or weird?
As always, thanks for reading, and I'd love to hear your thoughts on this one! Much love :)
