Ryou huffed a lock of hair that fell back into his face, trying to focus on his work. He was more annoyed than ever about his short hair. It was at that unfortunate stage where he couldn't put it up in a proper ponytail, but still long enough to irritate him. Malik begged that he grow it out and Ryou was willing to accept an excuse to have it long again. Still, every moment until he could pull it back for good was too long.
Of course, Ryou was annoyed for another reason. He frowned at the typewriter before him, hesitantly plucking out letters to splatter ink on the page for him. He didn't understand why Kaiba insisted on them using this machine. Ryou was certain could write faster than this machine could write for him, but Kaiba insisted that automation was the key to the future.
Ryou hadn't known his boss to be such a progressive.
Ryou reached the end of the row, sliding the lever across to move the sheet back. He knew that his report would take a long time, but he suspected the stupid machine was making it take even longer. Even without his boss screaming at him, Ryou had wanted to get out of the hospital as soon as possible. He never did well with having too much time on his hand.
Ryou still felt quite sore and moving about proved to be a struggle even now. Still, it was better than being confined to a bed all day. The doctors had been reluctant to let him out (not to mention furious with Malik for sneaking over all the time), but eventually he was permitted to leave so long as he attained transportation for himself.
Ryou hadn't planned on walking to work for a long while regardless. Despite the lovely weather that finally arrived in London, Ryou felt winded by short walks still. His hip and leg still ached and Ryou was reluctant to push his body too far. He knew regaining strength and reaching a full recovery would take a long time. And even then, he would never fully recover from his injuries.
And yet it was worth it.
Even now, as Ryou groaned and griped to himself about this damn report, he was glad for all he had done. Every drop of sweat, every all-nighter, every moment spent scouring the clues to catch this murderer was worth it. Isis was safe and the killer of several innocent women was dead. The streets were now a bit safer for those working in the night. Even if the law wouldn't protect him, Ryou had done his bit to help.
So even as he shifted in his seat, trying to take off some of the pressure on his hip, Ryou accepted the pain. Malik had been extraordinarily supportive during this time. Ryou hadn't been sure what form their relationship would take post-rescue, yet Malik was always there. Ryou suspected he hadn't told his siblings yet, though they must know since Malik rarely returned home in the evening.
Ryou was starting to see it as their home nowadays. And he liked that. The horrors of that night seemed to fade to the back of his mind. There were nights where he couldn't sleep, the terrors so real that only his screams could break him free of them. He would wake up, clawing at the burns that still set his chest aflame, panicked that the torture never ended. And, without fail, Malik would be there to hold him, to reassure him that they were only dreams and they couldn't hurt him.
The first few night terrors that disrupted their sleep, Ryou felt terrible about waking Malik up. But he was reminded that his partner had his own demons he still struggled with that woke him during the night as well. Ryou often found himself offering comfort as much as receiving it, embracing Malik, shielding him from the shadows that haunted Malik to this day. Perhaps they both needed each other in their weakness, to find strength in each other's company. After the fear of losing it all, Ryou wanted to cling to each moment, to each breath they shared.
This case had been the toughest case Ryou had ever taken on. Emotionally, it had exhausted him and physically, he bore the scars. In a way, it was a struggle of egos that nearly cost him his life. Ryou had come to see the battle between him and Jack the Ripper as a battle of wills. Who would triumph and find victory over the other.
Ryou had won, though he still lacked all the answers.
That was the agonizing part to the detective. Even now, there were details that he could not fill in. He had made survival his priority that any further insight and research into how and why Namu became Jack the Ripper became secondary. And now, Ryou had no way to find those answers. Kaiba wanted to close the case out and for that, Ryou needed to finish up his paperwork.
Ryou could take a small bit of comfort that he was nearly done though. He grabbed the court's letter, ascertaining Namu's guilt in the crimes. He figured Kaiba just wanted this information verbatim for the records. After that, Ryou would sign off as the detective to close this case for good. Or rather, at least for now.
Ryou had spoken to Kaiba at length regarding the case, doing his best to brief him on all the details he could think of. There was always work to do at the precinct and Kaiba wanted him to finish this case up so he could move him on to other projects. Yet despite his stubbornness, even Kaiba was willing to admit how much he owed Ryou for his work on the case.
Ryou still had many unanswered questions, many answers that still eluded him regarding the case. But finding the truth behind it all would take time and was not of top priority. Still, Kaiba knew that Ryou wasn't satisfied with how everything ended. He promised to give Ryou time in the future to further examine the case. To explore Namu's past and connections to see what came up.
But that would come at a later date.
Ryou finished the last sentence, pulling the last page. He took the pen on his desk, scribbling his signature to certify the documents as verifiably accurate. With some effort, Ryou scooted his chair back. A dark cane sat to the left of him. Ryou used the desk to help him stand straight before taking his cane. He just needed to make the long and arduous trek to drop this off at Kaiba's office.
And with that, the Jack the Ripper case finally came to an end.
"Commissioner Kaiba, I have the prime minister on the line-"
"Tell him I'll call him back when I have something to report," Kaiba snapped angrily, pacing around as he reviewed the case file one more time.
Malik chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Sounds like you've bitten off more than you can chew. I figured you'd be hunting down Bakura at a time like this."
"I would be if it weren't for the fact that I already have him detained from an incident two days ago. So my prime suspect is no more," Kaiba spat out the words, storming out of his office to yell at more officers.
Malik snorted, crossing his arms behind his head. He knew the commissioner would be back soon. The only reason he was more panicked than usual was because of their client. People were more willing to turn a blind eye to a serial killer targeting lower class women, shameful as that may be.
But no one could ignore a thief stealing royal artifacts from Buckingham Palace.
Malik leaned back, hearing a crowd of officers rushing about as they raced down to the scene of the crime. From what he could gather, a golden royal scepter, a ring, and a pair of armills was stolen. Needless to say, everybody was in a panic over their mystery thief.
Malik heard the door slam, not moving as Kaiba stormed around his desk, glaring at the paperwork before him. It always seemed the poor commissioner was swimming in reports and files and more mishaps of this city. If he weren't such an asshole, Malik would pity him.
When Kaiba didn't acknowledge him any further, Malik stood up, closing the distance between him and Kaiba as he leaned against the desk. "Sounds like you might need some backup on this."
"Ryou needs to close the goddamn Ripper case file before I start him on a new task. The moment he has something new to do, he'll never go back and finish that up."
Malik rolled his eyes. "He can finish it later. You have a problem on your hand right now."
"I have to give a public briefing in three days regarding Jack the Ripper. It needs to get done now," Kaiba retorted.
Malik knew that fighting Kaiba was pointless. He could only hope Ryou was almost done with the report. Malik hated standing around and waiting for something to do. "Is Duke's squad about to head over to the palace?"
Kaiba didn't reply, his eyes narrowed on his paperwork. Malik took that as a yes. Over the last few weeks, he had started to get a sense on how to handle the commissioner. And given their new working relationship, Malik needed to carefully toe the line and not risk pissing him off. As difficult as that may be.
"Why don't I join him out there? I can take a look at thi-"
Kaiba flicked his eyes up, a sarcastic note in his voice. "And let an apprentice take this case? I'll pass."
Malik huffed, a note of irritation growing in him. "This apprentice solved the damn Ripper case and rescued your best detective. So you're welcome."
"Only because Ryou did all the work beforehand," Kaiba replied, not letting Malik get the last word in.
Before Malik could argue back, a knock on the door interrupted him. Kaiba didn't even bother looking up.
"I'm busy! See my secretary!"
"Commissioner, it's me." That soft voice caused Malik to perk up, turning around to face the closed door.
Kaiba paused, almost internally debating whether to stand his ground. For what it was worth, Ryou promised to stop picking the lock on his door should he help make arrangements with his recent condition. Malik didn't think that Kaiba believed him though, noticing a new bolt on the door.
Finally, Kaiba sighed as he stood up straight. "Come in, detective."
Ryou opened the door, a wry smile on his face. One hand gripped his cane as he cautiously stepped forward, his gait still uneven. Malik resisted the urge to offer a helping hand, less for fear of outing themselves and more because he knew it would piss Ryou off to be babied in such a manner.
Ryou held a file in his other hand. "The report's done, signed and completed. Though I could have probably finished a day sooner if you hadn't added that new death trap to my office."
Kaiba snorted, taking the file as he briefly looked it over. "It's called a typewriter. All the government departments have made orders to have those installed. They'll make our work faster."
Malik noticed how Ryou rolled his eyes in silent disagreement. The detective's timing was rather fortuitous, Malik grinning. "Hey Ryou, did you hear about the robbery at Buckingham palace? Someone targeted the Crown Jewels."
Ryou smirked, leaning on one leg to give his hip a rest. "Why no, I haven't heard. The Crown Jewels? That's rather noteworthy. Has the culprit been caught?"
"Nope. And wouldn't you know? Bakura was detained during the time of the crime so it can't be him."
"Scandalous." Ryou chuckled, giving a dramatic sigh. He raised a hand to twirl a lock of hair, almost absent-mindedly. "Such a shame I have to go through the process of closing out this report when there must be a secretary around here who could do it just as fast if not fas-"
"Don't you two ever shut up?" Kaiba snapped, rubbing at the crease between his eyebrows, trying to ward off a headache. Even through the bitter words, Malik knew they had won the commissioner over. Kaiba placed the file down, locking eyes with Ryou.
"… Send Tristan in before you leave the precinct, got it?"
Malik bit back a grin, knowing the order was permission more than anything else.
Ryou had enough sense to give a serious nod, better at placating his boss than Malik was. "I'll do that. Thank you, commissioner."
"Get the hell out of my office before I change my mind," Kaiba grumbled, though Malik could have sworn he saw his lips twitching up into a smile.
It wasn't until the door was closed behind them that Malik dared speak his mind. He grinned as he looked over at Ryou. "Call me crazy, but I think Kaiba's more relaxed now than ever before."
Ryou raised an eyebrow, trying to hide a grin. "You noticed it too? I initially thought it was related to us finally catching Jack the Ripper, but I'm starting to think that some outside influences might be at play."
The two stopped by the main desk to speak to Tristan briefly before heading towards the exit. Malik couldn't help himself, barely repressing the grin on his face. "Any idea what Serenity sees in him?"
Ryou laughed. "Your guess is as good as mine."
Malik held the door open for Ryou, ignoring the haughty look that his partner gave him. Ryou's pride could be damaged a little if meant a bit more ease getting around. He knew Ryou tried to hide how much his hip still pained him. Malik could make sure he did what he could to help his partner. That was part of the reason he asked about joining the police force.
His siblings had thought it madness at the time. They didn't understand why Malik wanted to jump back into the danger and join the police. Malik didn't understand either. He had thought he would have been grateful for the peace and quiet that followed. But the moment he walked back to the university to join his siblings in research, he felt stuck.
Trapped.
Everything was mundane. What once used to intrigue him now seemed boring. The gold that shined was now cloudy and dull. He wasn't sure if it was the environment or himself that changed the most, but after experiencing the chase, the thrill of the hunt, the pursuit to outwit and outmaneuver a criminal mastermind, Malik couldn't shake it.
This case had forever changed him.
Malik spoke to Ryou about becoming an officer. Ryou had a better idea and suggested that he worked as his assistant. Malik had no idea what Ryou said to convince Kaiba this was a good idea. Maybe he didn't need much convincing. For all the flack he gave him, Kaiba was well aware that it was Malik's determination and refusal to give up that allowed them to figure out who Jack the Ripper was and catch him before he got away.
Malik knew Isis and Rishid worried about his well-being. He figured he would do the same if he were in their position. But Malik knew that he could do this. While he had never considered such an option before, he learned that he could do it. That he was sharp and could be an asset to the case. Ryou thought as much.
Though it was tempting to think it was because of their budding relationship, Malik knew that Ryou would not have bothered to take him on as a work partner if he didn't think he could handle the work. Malik had proven himself before. He hoped to continue to prove his value and worth in their work.
As he hoped to continue to prove his love and affection for the man by his side.
Malik waited as the cab slowed down, gesturing for Ryou to get in before him. "Ready for our date at the palace?"
Ryou rolled his eyes, but still chuckled nonetheless. "Well, when you put it that way…"
Malik grinned, stepping in the cab after him, making their way towards the palace.
Thank you so much for reading!
