Total number of words including note: 4249

Chapter Eight

The new lovers catch their breath for their throbbing lungs after pulling away from the kiss that they shared.

With a bright smile visible on their faces, still keeping their fingers interlocked while foreheads are pressed with each other's, Rosalia's azure orbs are lost and locked with her lover's cerulean ones. They just stay still, holding each other close as they listen to the synchronised music of their heartbeats that only them can hear and understand.

Jimmy reached for his magician's face and caress her cheek with his free hand, he kisses her forehead before pressing it to his. He let out a soft laugh of happiness while staring at his lover with a bright smile, enjoying the view of his lady whose cheeks are now tinted red.

"I...I am too glad" he said and let out a laugh in disbelief, not minding how crazy it may seems before he continue to speak, "I did not expected this, I never thought that you would also feel the same. I thought that you will eventually fall for that Brit—"

Before he could even finish what he's about to say, he got cut off when he felt a soft and gentle finger touching his lips. The detective took it as a sign to stop on what he's about to say as he got a small smile from the lady.

"That's supposed to be my line— but I am glad that you are able to confess your feelings for me" said Rosalia and let out a soft chuckle, "I have been waiting for this moment, that you will actually say those words although I already noticed that you really have feeling for me because of the way you act."

The detective blushed slightly because of what she said,

'Am I that obvious?' he thought.

"I never thought that I would fall for you, when we first met I already know that you are not just an ordinary woman. Your confidence makes you outstanding, you look fearless and confident every time you share your talent to everyone, you are so bright, strong, talented, extraordinary, elegant, gorgeous, beautiful, pure and most of all... precious" he said sincerely while staring at the magician, "Words are not enough to describe how perfect you are, Rosalia. This may sound cliché and sappy, especially when it came from me— a detective that do not have any idea about love and romance, but you are truly a goddess, Rosalia. Trust my words for detectives like me only state the truth."

The detective's compliment made her face more red, she did not expect for him to day those kind of things— especially for him, a detective who is inexperience in love.

"Monsieur Jimmy, I didn't expect to be like how you just described me. You are being too sappy for a detective who loves solving cold and bloody cases, aren't you just being a sweet talker to win my heart?" the magician said playfully, not minding the visible blush on her cheeks.

"Didn't I won just now? And like what I've said, detectives like me only state the truth, we talk based on the facts the we observed" said Jimmy with a proud grin on his face, "but I mean it, when I said that words are not enough to describe you, I won't let you regret your decision on choosing me, I promise."

Rosalia let out a chuckle after hearing what he just said, she moves closer to her lover and gave him a tight hug. The detective hugs her from her waist and tuck her closer as he brush her hair.

The both of them spent their remaining time together, atmosphere between the new lovers are filled with love, happiness and contentment as they feel safe and warm on each other's embrace.

The moon have never been happy to watch the two cherish their first night as lovers, together with the stars that surrounds it, they celebrate for the new lovers by giving them light to make their night more romantic.

After spending their time together, Jimmy decided to take her back home. They both walk together, side by side, fingers interlocked with each other. The detective holds her hand as if he's afraid of losing her by letting go of it.

When they finally reached the lady's home, her father is waiting outside just like what they expected. He is leaning on the wall beside their front door while crossing his arms, giving them both serious gaze then to their hands.

Judging from what he looks like, Jimmy can tell that the lady's father already knows how their day ended up.

The detective let go of his lady's hand gently. Rosalia glimpse at him before the both of them walk towards he father and greet him 'good evening'.

"Jimmy Kudo, let's talk."

"Père, what are you—"

"Only the two of us." he emphasised and turn his gaze to his daughter, "so go inside first, Rosalia."

The seriousness on her father's voice made both Rosalia and Jimmy shiver.

Rosalia gulps before nodding her head, she gave Jimmy last gaze and mouthed, "Will you be alright?"

The detective nods as an answer and gave the female magician a reassuring smile who sighed before entering their house and closing the door.

Rosalia decided to stay next to the door to listen to their conversation.

Timoleon sighs and stare at the obviously nervous detective while crossing his arms.

"Sir, let me explai—"

"There is no need to explain about anything, both of your faces already tell what happened. Now that the two of you are together, I am expecting you to treat her like a precious gem..." Rosalia's father paused and glimpse at their front door, "It is no doubt that you are a good gentleman, I have heard so much about you, an intelligent and bright man but you have a dangerous job that might make my daughter invol—"

Jimmy already knows what his lover's father is about to say so he decided to cut him off and speaks, "Sir, I didn't mean to be disrespectful but it is not what you think— I will never let her be in danger. I know how dangerous my job is, I am involved with different dangerous cases but I swear, I will never put her in trouble. I wouldn't want her to be involved with my dangerous job and the criminals that I am dealing with."

Said by the detective while looking straight into Rosalia's father, eyes are full of courage and sincerity.

"I will never let her get hurt, I will protect her like a precious gem and keep her safe, I hope that you would not doubt my words, sir. Even if you do, I will still prove that I am worthy of your precious daughter, but for now..."

He tried to ignore how nervous he is right now while talking to Rosalia's father— but he needs to keep himself together, calm down and be brave to show that he is worthy.

"Sir, I am asking for permission to be your daughter's lover. We are hoping that you would accept us as one— and like what I have said, I am willing to prove that I am worthy and if there is something that you wanted me to do, I will do it."

Timoleon mentally smirked in amusement while staring at the man in front of him, he let out a sighed and leans on the wall.

Behind the door is Rosalia, listening to the conversation of her father and her lover. Her face is heating up, making her cheeks tinted bright red. While unconsciously smiling after hearing what her lover said, she can feel butterflies dancing inside his stomach as she listen to her lover's sincerity and courage while facing her father.

She can hear heart beats faster,

"Seems like my daughter is enjoying listening to her father and lover's conversation"

She turn around when she heard her mother's voice who let out a soft chuckle, the female magician slightly blushed in embarrassment after being caught.

"I know exactly how you feel right now, honey" said Celine as she pat her daughter's shoulder, "remember when I told you the story of how your father talk to my father back in our time?"

"Well, yes? I'm just happy to hear how serious he is while talking to father about me" she whispered softly as he smiles and continue listening to them.

"Well I guess I have no choice, I can see how determine you are to prove your love to our daughter" Timoleon said and sighed while looking at the door.

"If this will make my daughter happy, then you have my permission. But remember the consequences that you may face if you dare to hurt her and make her sad—" he paused and clears his throat, "and as for the two of you who has been listening from the start, go out if you have anything to say to this young man."

Timoleon continued as the door has been open widely. Rosalia quickly comes out and walk quickly towards her lover and gave him a sudden tight hug. Jimmy almost stumble, luckily, he managed to remain his balance and hug her back and let out a soft chuckle.

"I see, my daughter chose to hug her lover first instead of her father who gave them his permission. Should I take back what I said earlier?"

"Père!"

Rosalia whined which makes them laugh. Celine just let out a chuckle and clings on her husband's arm.

"Seems like out little princess has really grown up now."

"She's still our little princess"

The woman chuckled from what Timoleon have said

"Jimmy, why don't you come inside and have dinner with us? I'm curious about your adventures as a detective and what happened to the both of you." Celine offered, she is also curious on hearing the stories about the pride of Strasbroug, and of course she also wanted to hear how her daughter and Jimmy ended up being together.

Both Jimmy and Rosalia blushed slightly especially that the lady's mother wants to hear what happened to the both of them, Jimmy just scratch his nape in embarrassment.

"Well, I accept your offer, madame."

Celine squealed in joy and clap her hands, "What are we waiting for? come in, come in!"

They all entered inside the house. The five of them, including Rosalia's older brother who is surprised and thrilled with the sudden announcement. They start eating together, enjoying each other's company and the stories that the shared with each other.

After that night, Jimmy's day have never been greater. Everything just felt so great, he didn't even need to drink his daily dose of coffee to give him energy while working.

Harley and Arthur is staring at the detective with a flinch visible on their faces while listening to Jimmy hum a tune despite of being a tone deaf.

"Monsieur Harley, he is acting weird" Arthur said while looking at Jimmy with a frown on his face.

"Kudo, do you even know how horrible your voice is even if it's only a hum?" Harley said while staring at his best friend, "did ya just solved the case about the missin' children?"

Harley asked while resting chin on his palm while looking at Jimmy curiously who shook his head as an answer.

'If that's not the reason then what? is it because of his coffee or maybe..."

He smirked with his thoughts while looking at his friend. He was busy with his thought when he suddenly heard a knock on their door.

"Bonjour, mademoiselle Rosalia!" he heard Arthur say after opening the door.

"Bonjour, Arthur" the lady said and chuckled, Harley and Jimmy looks at the lady who's holding three leader covered tin lunch boxes.

Harley looks at Jimmy who seems surprised for the sudden visit of the lady magician who is now looking at them.

"Good morning, Monsieur Harley" she greeted and turn her gaze to Jimmy while smiling brightly, "Monsieur Jimmy."

"Why are you here, Rosalia?" asked Jimmy who walk towards the lady and get the lunch boxes she's holding.

"I came here to bring lunch for everyone" Rosalia said and gave Jimmy a peck on his cheek that made the other two surprised.

"Say, you came here for Kudo, right?" Harley asked with a teasing smile which made Arthur laugh.

Rosalia blushed and put the lunch box on Jimmy's table, "W-well, I came here for everyone and decided to bring you guys lunch for today since I know that you guys don't know how to cook." she said while grinning widely

The other two detectives walk towards the table excitedly to get the boxes and opens it.

"Thank you, mademoiselle!" Arthur said and starts eating his food happily along with Harley.

"Jimmy, you should start eating yours too" Rosalia said as she open Jimmy's lunch for him, the detective stared at the delicious food his lady made

"I-is this really for me?" he asked happily while looking at angle who gave him a shy nod as an answer.

"Try it" said Rosalia which made Jimmy get the spoon immediately and starts eating. She stare at the detective nervously to wait for his reaction, Jimmy's bright smile have made Rosalia sigh in relief, knowing the detective likes it.

"It taste great!"

The detectives exclaimed together while continue eating while made the magician chuckle.

"Really? next time I will bring more for everyone." said Rosalia as she felt a familiar hand hold her's. She smiled softly and intertwines her hand to the detective's while watching him eat.

On the other hand, the two detectives have already stopped eating while looking at the two love birds curiously. The two are showing too much affection which made the two male curious.

"Oi Kudo, is there something you're not telling us?"

"How about you mademoiselle Rosalia?"

Jimmy blinks while looking at them, still not letting go of the lady's hand.

"About the two of you!" exclaimed by Arthur. The two realised what they're talking about and blushed, thinking of how they'll explain it.

Rosalia sighed and decided to tell them what happened and how Jimmy confessed last night.

Arthur and Harley laughed after hearing what happened, Jimmy just glared at the two while frowning.

"So you finally confessed?" Harley said with a teasing smirk on his face

"I was even planning to confess to Mademoiselle Rosalia for Monsieur Jimmy, I thought he won't make any move!" Arthur said before he burst into laughter.

"Shut it! I still don't have any plans that time but I was planning to confess sooner!" Jimmy defended himself who felt embarrassed, he was really planning to confess but thanks to that Sebastian, he ended up doing it earlier.

'I guess I have to thank that Brit, if he haven't annoyed me yesterday, I might not end up experiencing the best night of my life'

He thought as a small smile forms on his lips while staring at Rosalia who is stating how he confessed and how he asked for her father's permission.

After some few hours, they all ate lunch together, Rosalia fell asleep on the couch with Arthur beside him after she showed him some few magic tricks that he tried to crack.

The cowlick haired detective smiled and turns his gaze to his friend, he walk towards him as the two of them started to talk.

"Kudo, about the case..." Harley started and pulls out the letter inside the pocket of his coat, "Inspector wants us to attend the meeting about the case of those missing children"

Jimmy nods and gets the letter from his friend and reads it, "They still have no suspects for it? People are starting to spread some rumour again, that it is a non-existing witch even if the case was hidden from everyone."

"This morning, they discovered a body of a child— skin and muscles are melted, some internal organs are missing, the poor child's skeleton is almost visible" Harley explained and leans on the wall, "the boy's parents identified the body and they confirmed that it is their son. One witness said that the victim was last found with an unidentified woman"

The detective flinch from what Harley said and read the file given to them, with some sketches of the crime scene and about the lost children, some of them are familiar to him, some children were with Rosalia during her magic show.

He suddenly looks at the sleeping magician,

'Seeing how excited she is while entertaining those kids that time, it will worry her if she discover about this case and might end up finding them herself'

He couldn't let Rosalia to be involved, he promised to Rosalia's father to not let her be involve to any danger— especially now that their opponent seems more dangerous than the others.

Jimmy sighed and cross his arms, "Hartwell, don't say a word about this case to Rosalia"

"Is it because she was accused for being a witch last time?"

Harley asked while looking at his worried looking friend.

"That too, some of the children watched her little magic show when I first met her, knowing her, I'm sure that she will end up being worried and might even find them herself" he said while looking at the sleeping magician, "I can't let her be involve to this case, our opponent is a dangerous person"

"Understood boss" said Harley who let out a deep chuckle and tapped his friend's shoulder, "she really brought out something new in you, huh?"

Jimmy just let out a chuckle and fixes the file and hide it inside his drawer, he knows that this is not the right time to laugh but he just couldn't help it, especially when it comes to his Rosalia.

"but when do you plan to tell your parents about this?" Harley asked that made him sigh, he haven't visit them for a while, he has been receiving letters from his mother, complaining about him being gone for a long time and on when do he plan to pay them a visit.

"It would not be a very pleasant news for them if I inform them about my relationship with Rosalia" he said and rested his chin on his palm while frowning.

"That's true, but what can they do? You managed to become a detective in contrast to their plans of you following your father's footsteps and enter the government" Harley stated and looks outside the window.

"Yeah, but there's a prize for that which they haven't told me yet until now, it might be something worst than their first plan!" Jimmy exclaimed while glancing at Rosalia, "forget it for now, there are still more important thing to worry about aside from my family issues"

The both of them started talking about the case again and when they will start to investigate. However, Jimmy thinks that Harley has a point about him telling his parents about his relationship with the magician— although he already have an idea of their possible reactions.

The detective just shook his head and sigh, 'Enough with that Jimmy, you still have a case to solve'

Rosalia can feel a soft warm touch of a familiar hand, brushing her soft brunette untamed hair. She smiles and leans on his hand, the magician smiled when she realised that her head is lying on the detective's lap while her face is facing on his stomach.

She felt too relaxed to open her eyes as he curls more, feeling small on his lap. The detective chuckles deeply while watching the magician as he continue to brush her hair.

"Rosalia, you have to wake up now, I still have to bring you home." the detective said but he only received a whine from the magician.

"Can't we stay together a bit more longer, mon chéri?"

Rosalia requested and opens her eyes, seeing his lover who's cheeks are now flushed.

'Mon chéri?'

He thought the nickname she gave him, he turn his gaze back to Rosalia who is now giving him puppy eyes.

'Damn, another weakness for me'

"But your father will kill me, mi amour" he said which made the magician flushed. She shook head and laugh as she finally sat on the sofa and flicks his forehead.

"Père wouldn't do something like that— but I'm sure that he will do something else and it wouldn't injure you"

He flinches as he thought of the possible things that her father might do. After seeing how Timoleon acted last time, he's already sure of the dangers that awaits him if he disobeyed his conditions. Even bringing Rosalia home late might have a lot of consequences like being hanged upside-down or worst.

He looks at Rosalia and flashes a smile, he can't blame her father for being overly protective over his daughter, she's worth giving protection.

"How about we buy some bread at the bakery near your house first?" the detective said which made the lady nod and quickly stands up to pull him up.

They both bid their goodbyes to Harley and Arthur before heading out of their office.

Jimmy stare at Rosalia who keeps blabbering about her plans for her next magic tricks for the children while they are walking.

He couldn't help but to think about the case about the missing children and the brutal death of a child. There is a possibility that she will get involve, knowing that she is close with the children and he knows to himself that he can't hide the case to her forever. He promised to himself that he wouldn't let her get hurt and to keep himself.

The case really bothers him a lot, knowing that the person they're dealing with is dangerous and he knows that the case will continue and that the killings won't stop. Rosalia is reckless and he knows what the magician will do if she discovered about the case.

"Jimmy, are you listening?

He stops with his thoughts when he heard the lady calls him. He realised that he wasn't listening to her anymore as he sweat drop.

"W-what?"

"We are already here"

"Oh..."

Jimmy looks around then to the woman beside him before he speaks, "What do you want to buy, mon amour?"

The lady looks at him curiously before picking the bread she wants to buy. She looks at Jimmy curiously as she pay for the bread that she picked.

'He's spacing out so much' the lady pouted with her thought while still staring at the detective.

"Jimmy, is there something bothering you?" she asked with a soft voice while looking at him worriedly.

Jimmy just kissed the top of head and sighed, "Don't worry, it's nothing"

"But you're spacing out, there must be something bothering you, right? What is it?" she asked and lean closer to him

"It's just some random thoughts" he said and tried to think of an explanation to escape from her questions.

"Like what? you look so serious, Jimmy"

She asked again as he shook his head as an answer before he speaks,

"You don't have to worry about it, Rosalia."

"Don't wait for me to do what I did before"

Rosalia warned that made him flinch as he lean closer to him with a serious gaze.

'Jimmy think, you have to think'

He knows how things will end up and he know that it won't be a good one. Thinking about made him nervous, of the twist of her punishments, an idea pops out on his mind as he looks at the lady and flashes her a smile. Jimmy holds Rosalia's hand and bring it closer to his lips and gave it a gentle kiss.

"I'm just thinking about you, milady. You know how serious I am to you" he said as he lady's cheeks flushed bright red again.

"B-but that is not a satisfying answer!" she whined which made him laugh on her cute reaction. He gets the paper bag that contains the breads they bought as he holds her hand.

"Shall I escort the lady back to her house now?"

Jimmy asked and holds her hand tightly and tightly and intertwines it with his.

"Yes, but you are not yet off the hook, mister." the magician said while pouting which made the detective gulps.

'Damn, that was too cute. Oh how I want to kiss those lips...' he thought to himself as he continue to take Rosalia back to her home

When they finally arrived, he gave Rosalia a quick kiss on the lips and a gentle kiss on her forehead while holding her cheek. The magician closes her eyes for a moment, enjoying the presence of her lover.

She flashes a soft smile while holding the paper bag and the lunch boxes, the detective opens the door for her before they bud their goodbyes.

The magician entered their house and flashes him a smile before closing the door. She put down her things first as she sat down and thinks,

'What's bothering him?'

NOTE: It's been a while since our last update, how are you all? Some problems are already starting, what so you think about the case of missing children?Please share your thoughts! We would also want to hear about your thought about this chapter, please share your thoughts!

P.S. Sorry for the typos and for the grammatical errors!

-Dark Knight