-FIRSTS-
Disclaimer: The works of Detective Conan and Magic Kaito belongs to Gosho Aoyama-sensei.
Warning: KaiShin relationship.
A/N: I'm tired and coming down with a cold. Might have some errors though I tried to fix them but my eyes aren't cooperating.
First Epiphany
"Incoming." Shinichi's voice filtered through the static of Kaito's earpiece. He was situated at the crossbeams of the warehouse, ready with equipment to do the quick switch with Mizunashi Rena who just entered through the front. Shinichi's warning meant that there were tails on the ex-news anchor and that today might be the day they could extract her from this predicament. "Hondo is with them. Proceed as planned."
"Show Time." Kaito whispered into the lonely room, flipping himself down from his perch using the rope tied at the beams. It serves as an escape route for the agent as she could then hide where Kaito had been previously. Their initial plan was to have her fake her own death but Kaito pointed it out that it was not an easy task to fake one's own death (he had the experience and it wasn't pleasant). After much arguing with his detective, Kaito managed to persuade Shinichi that he would take her place seeing as Kaito is the expert performer between the three of them. His detective was extremely reluctant but knowing he himself is still out of commission, Kaito would be the best choice.
When Mizunashi entered the building, Kaito gave her a light tap on the shoulders as a signal then hooked her into the harness. It was a modification from the old suspension belt, capable of carrying a heavier weight load and with longer reach. Once she was secured, he activated the controls and sent the woman up towards the beam. His eyes tracked her movements, watching as she balanced herself then made her way across the beams. Feeling she was adequately safe, Kaito pretended to be busy with something along the back walls when three man stepped in with a loud noise.
"So this is where you have been hiding out all this time, Kir. Rum was so displeased with your sudden departure and Gin had been searching for you with determination." Even though the speaker looked like a man, the mannerism did not fully match. The steps were tended on the short and elegant side, not ones that would be associated with the strong hand type of agent. His speech was close to flawless, no lisp or mispronounciation. There was also perfect control over voice and speech patterns, ones that reminded Kaito of himself when disguising as someone else. "Unfortunately for you, you won't have another chance. You've squandered your last chance, and what did you get out of it? Nothing. We already know you work for a government agency, it would only be a matter of time before we find it."
"My, aren't we talkative today." Kaito was sure to pitch the voice with the mix of curiosity and annoyance. He really disliked the former actress, her acts are so real and impeccable. "Something bothering you much?"
"Sir?" The other addressed as per the physical traits required, hands edging towards his jacket pockets. Kaito had to wonder why she had to come in disguise.
"Wait, this is one for our newest and brightest." The smile turned evil as the leader's gaze fell on Honda. "Let's see if you can make the cut."
Honda's steps were lacking in confidence, unsure and hesitant. But he approached the speaker and took the offered gun.
"That's right. Play the role you've been given, show your worth to us. You may have come with high recommendations, but we still need to confirm your skills with our eyes." The glimmer in those dark eyes told Kaito that she was aware of the situation, that this is a staged operation. "And what better way to prove your allegiance than to dispose of a government agent."
'Looks like she knows already.' Kaito hid his thoughts from his emotions, not showing the grimace at the revelation.
"Your newest plaything?" Keeping in character, Kaito egged his opponents into anger. The other reacted and took out the gun.
"Calm yourself." She placed a hand on the drawn gun. "Let her say what she wants. After all, it's probably her last words. Anything else you'd like to add."
"Being generous doesn't suit you. Stick to your old job description." Hopefully, the message was picked up. And it was, as his opponent laughed loudly, voice echoing in the vastness.
"Then let bullets fly." She stepped back and let Hondo take aim.
Kaito nearly winced at the blatant look of reluctance on Hondo's face. At least Shinichi was right in not letting the boy know about it.
'He's the worst actor that I've seen.' He steeled himself, and hoped that the boy had good aim. Even though they planned and had somehow coerced the help from their Witch, all their efforts would be wasted if Hondo backed out this last second. Or worst, aimed at the wrong place and killing Kaito in the process. 'That would not be good. At least we do have a backup plan, but we really don't want to put it into action. It'll only put us in the Witch's debt.'
Mentally, he braced himself for the bullet impact. It was a tense few minutes as Hondo took aim at his heart. Kaito had to spare a moment to wonder how his detective managed to stare down at the guns that often threatened his life. With a resounding crack of the gun, the bullet impacted on his torso and he staggered. Hondo put few more rounds into the chest area, emptying the whole cartridge, before Kaito managed to hit the ground with a loud thud. Someone came over as he pretended to be rasping for oxygen. To Kaito's knowledge, lung shots often means gasping and coughing, if what the movies depicted are to be believed.
"Not used to handling this particular firearm? Not an accurate or precise shot." Her hands were cold along his pulse point, which had been masked over with a layer of fake skin. She tsk-ed as she jerked him by the chin, lifting so they would be facing each other instead of Kaito planting his face on the ground. "Looks like it isn't your lucky day little bird. I'd love to end your pain for you, seeing as our newest and brightest isn't skillful enough to offer you a kill shot. Instead, you have to suffer through the pain."
Kaito felt the cold metal of the muzzle on his temple. He squinted, still performing in character but was fearful, and saw the cruel smile on her face. It sent shivers throughout his body. What this woman does is often unpredictable and dangerous for everyone involved. But he knew the show must go on and he gave a few hacks of cough, complete with blood because of the lung shot, that seemed to rattle the body.
"Oh well, shouldn't waste my bullets." She stood up and turned back towards her companions. Briefly, Kaito could see the pained look on Hondo's face. "Let's go back boys, she'll bleed out momentarily and it's not like there'll be anyone to come here, let alone save her."
Kaito had to pretend to move, to do something as often depicted by dying characters. He started crawling, away from the group, and into the shadows offered by the crates. Shinichi would have complained heavily if he saw the act Kaito was putting on for show, no one with a lung shot would have the energy or coherency required to move about and crawl. But the action does add a bit of drama and out of everyone in the warehouse, only himself and Vermouth would know, not that it matters much anyways.
"You... you wont get... " for drama, he cough and spit out a mouth full of blood.
"My my. Still some fighting spirit left? No matter." The gun was levelled on Kaito again, aiming at his heart.
BANG.
The sound lingered in the vast warehouse as Kaito slid down to the floor, using the crates as support. Smoke rose from the muzzle of the gun as she lowered her weapon.
"Too bad. At least it was me and not Gin, I'll be sure to inform him though." Footsteps disappearing but suddenly stopped in the distance. "Pleasant dreams." The last phrase was delivered with mockery echoed with a short laugh before the warehouse fell silent again.
It was only when Shinichi's voice came through the in-ear speakers that Kaito dared to move.
"Kaito?" His voice was barely a whisper.
"I'm ok." Kaito grunted as he sat up. "Did you pick up Ms Rena?"
"She's with the FBI now. We're just finishing with sweeping the place for lingering agents."
"No problem, take your time." He leaned against the crates. Even with the bullet proof vest, it still hurt. Closing his eyes, he regulated his breathing to ease off the pressure.
"How are you feeling?" Shinichi was kneeling in front of Kaito when he next opened his eyes. At some point, he must have drifted off.
"If Hondo was a better shooter, I'll feel a lot better." He did not bother to hide the wince, they didn't have any audience anyways. Shinichi's hands hovered over the places on the shirt that were stained red. There was a hint of pain in his eyes. Reaching towards his detective's cheeks, he forced Shinichi to look back up at his face. "It's fake, I'm not dying."
"But you're still hurt." Shinichi pressed onto one of the areas, Kaito let out a hiss in response. "It's probably bruised the skin, you'll be sporting purple for a week."
"At least I'll have you for company." He teased, poking at his detective. "You will be keeping me entertained right?"
The way Kaito delivered the sentence made Shinichi blush, clearly the magician meant something other than the usual bed rest.
"Rest. Not relax. No strange things." He admonished, still looking overly concerned and worried.
"You ruin all my fun." Kaito took the outstretched hand from his detective to lever himself up. Even though there were no broken skin, he was still painful all over. He waved off another bout of worried glances. "The important thing is no one else was hurt."
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"Ow, can't you be a bit more gentle?" Kaito complained as Shinichi rubbed the cream in the bruised area. The detective had volunteered himself for the task and Kaito would not be refusing the offer. He had no reason to refuse when his detective was offering himself.
"You were being indecent." In an urge for revenge, he pressed on the purple spot with more than necessary force. "Keep your wondering hands to yourself."
Kaito was laying on the bed half naked, as his shirt was disposed into the laundry as soon as they arrived back. Shinichi had commented blood, even fake blood, is difficult to wash off once set so Kaito started the soaking process early. That meant divesting his shirt at the corridors, where Shinichi saw the forming bruises and insisted on doing something about it. Hence the cream and somewhat forceful massage. The detective is currently straddled over Kaito and leaning forward. His balance is off so Kaito had to steady his detective in case he fell on top of Kaito (despite his earlier comments, the bruises did hurt and as much as he loved his detective, it would be extremely painful should Shinichi fall on top and cause more bruising. That and his detective would further blame himself for this extra damage). The situation had allowed Kaito to hold his detective close, not that he needed any reason all the other times, and it was enticing with the detective on top. He could not help but let his hands explore soft flesh between the bandages and clothing.
"Can't help it." Kaito spared a hand to brush away the hair obstructing Shinichi's handsome face. "You're irresistible." He tried leaning upwards to catch Shinichi's lips but was met by the creamy palm.
"No funny business." His detective stood up and promptly left the bed. "Rest, it's been a long day. I'll see if I can whip up something to eat."
"Tease." Kaito sank into the soft mattress. A nap sounds wonderful at the moment.
"Only learnt from the best." Shinichi offered a rare smile, one that Kaito felt could warm the hardest of heart, and Kaito returned with his own signature grin. Sighing as the door closed, he snuggled into the side, inhaling the soft scent of pine left on Shinichi's designated pillow.
Kaito managed to fall into a deep sleep and when he knew it, he was being shaken awake by a concerned Shinichi.
"What's wrong?" He muddled a yawn with the back of his hand, just coming out of a daze.
"You didn't wake up when I called you." Shinichi carefully searched through the mop of unruly locks for any signs of injury. "You're normally a lighter sleeper and...I was afraid I might have overlooked something. Maybe we should have you checked out with a doctor."
Kaito leaned into the touch, sighing contently and closing his eyes to savour the touch.
"Kaito? Are you sure you're ok?" There was a hint of fear beneath the concern. "I'll go grab the phone to call a doctor, wait here."
He was about to leave when Kaito grabbed his wrist, pulling Shinichi back onto the bed and nearly collapsing onto the magician.
"Let me hold you like this for a while." Kaito would not admit it out loud but the afternoon's events did take a toll on him. Usual acting never took much out of him, he could improvise and become a whole different character in his sleep, but fake dying was something else entirely. When he was staring down the gun barrel, for a brief moment he wondered what if their Witch double-crossed them, what if the gun did not fire blanks (which it didn't, thank goodness for the bullet proof vest, hence the pain). The realization led to his worry that his detective would be overcome with guilt. His dreams had reflected that, imagining the tear trails on the alabaster skin, the grief and sadness showing unhindered on the face, and the painful sapphire orbs that no longer shine. The image remained and he was lucky that Shinichi woke him up when he did.
"Kaito, you're scaring me." Shinichi mumbled into the blanket.
"Just a little longer." Kaito buried his more into the ebony hair, committing the scent to memory and to chase away the dream image. It helped, as now he could focus on the reality and warmth trapped in his arms.
"Did you have a nightmare?" Shinichi rubbed awkwardly on Kaito's back.
"No, just a fearful realization." Kaito released his detective to look directly into his eyes. "Promise me that no matter what happens, never blame yourself."
"Kaito..." Shinichi carefully brushed against the bangs framing Kaito's face. He wasn't sure how to respond to the request as he did not want to lie.
Kaito frowned, pulling his detective back into another hug. Shinichi yelped at the sudden action.
"I dreamt of you, how you blamed yourself for my injuries. I don't want to see that look on your face." Kaito kissed the top of Shinichi's head.
"It's only a dream..." Shinichi was struggling to remove himself from the entrapping arms but the magician was stronger than he currently is. "Kaito, can you let me up?"
"Let's stay here, forget dinner for now." There was nothing Shinichi could do about his magician's reluctance to let go or leave the bed. He could only sigh and submit into Kaito's whims.
They stayed like that for a while, with Kaito seeking comfort from Shinichi. He knew this was a show of weakness but at the same time, it showed how much he trusted his detective. He had been told by many that he always kept his emotions and heart hidden too deep for anyone to penetrate but in fact he would only be willing to share this side of himself with only the person he deemed worthy. Shinichi had told Kaito time and again that he never minded Kaito showing his true self. And Kaito took this to heart. That is why he was comfortable with showing his emotions and weakness to his detective.
"Shinichi," Kaito looked at the mess of hair expectantly. Shinichi struggled to look up into his eyes, returning with an identical look, "I love you."
Shinichi smiled and returned the phrase emphatically. Kaito not really expected his detective to reply with words, knowing he was never one to verbally express his feelings. Kaito leaned in for a kiss, which was reciprocated this time, before letting his detective go.
"Silly, no need to be so sentimental." Shinichi poked Kaito at the tip of his nose. "Come down after you've washed up. You're sweaty all over." Shinichi did not wait for a reply and headed back to the kitchen.
Kaito grinned at the teasing tone, taking a moment to recollect himself before doing as he was told. He could not stop the grin from morph into a dopey smile.
-TBC-
