Detective Conan and Magic Kaito characters, settings, and ideas do not belong to me but to Aoyama Gōshō.

TMPD Antics

By Taliya

LXIV: Hakuba and Hattori

"Kaitou KID's… something else, isn't he?"

Heiji turned to find Saguru approaching him, hands in his pockets and a neutral expression on his face. "A pain in the ass is what he is," he retorted, though a rueful grin quirked his lips.

Saguru chuckled. "Don't I know it. I've been chasing after him for almost a decade, but I don't think I've ever physically wrung him out the way you and Kudou-kun have."

"Well, at least you didn't end up with a concussion or were pinned to a wall in front of everyone during a heist," he griped, recalling the time he had failed to dodge one of Shinichi's soccer balls and had been hit squarely in the forehead as well as his latest encounter with the white-clad thief.

"I've ended gassed up to the gills while he masqueraded as me while I was knocked out on one heist," the blond replied, commiserating. He sighed. "That was somewhat embarrassing."

Heiji eyed his companion contemplatively with a hint of suspicion. "Why aren't you ridiculing me about the heist, Hakuba?"

The blond tipped his head in acknowledgment at his rather uncharacteristic response. "Because it's not sporting to do so. Because I know what it's like to publicly lose to KID. Because despite how much we bicker, I do hold a genuine respect for you as a detective."

The Osakan blinked, having not expected the surprisingly candid confession and feeling himself warm towards the half-Briton.

Saguru smirked the tiniest bit, mischief making his eyes twinkle. "And, because KID got back at you for me so that I did not have to." Having said his piece, Saguru swiveled and continued on in the direction he had originally been going.

"Oi, what's that supposed to mean?" Heiji demanded, confused and feeling he had somehow been slighted, though he had no idea why he should feel as such. The earlier budding blossom of camaraderie he felt vaporized in a burst of fire.

Saguru held up a hand in a parting wave. "You're a detective; figure it out," he called without turning back around. The blond disappeared around a corner, leaving the homicide detective standing alone in the hallway.

"Bastard," he grumbled under his breath as he refrained from stomping down the hallway towards his office.

Author's Note: Ah, the more subtle humor of Saguru versus the lack of subtle humor of Heiji. Yay. I hope you enjoyed it.

Completed: 28.02.2016