DCMK || KaiShin || DCMK || The White Collar Phantom Thief || DCMK || KaiShin || DCMK
Title: The White Collar Phantom Thief – The Secret of Pandora
Fandom: Detective Conan / Magic Kaito
Disclaimer: All rights reserved to Gosho Aoyama for he created the awesomeness that is Kaitou KID. Ah, and Detective Conan, too. This fanfiction on the other hand is entirely mine. No money is made with this, though reviews are more than welcomed.
Tags: m/m, future fic, post-Conan Shinichi, secret reveals, slow-burn, hurt/comfort, canon-typical violence/death, canon-typical magic, canon-typical crossdressing, fake relationship, fluff, adoption, found family, explicit intercourse, anal, oral, f/f, m/f
Main Pairing: Kaito/Shinichi
Side Pairings: Sera/Ran, Saguru/Aoko, Heiji/Kazuha, Makoto/Sonoko, Takagi/Sato
DC/MK Characters:
Task Force: Kuroba Kaito | Kaitou KID | Tsukino Guinevere, Kudou Shinichi, Hakuba Saguru, Nakamori Aoko, Hattori Heiji, Sera Masumi, Koizumi Akako, Furuya Rei | Amuro Tooru | Bourbon, Akai Shuuichi, Takagi Wataru, Sato Miwako, Jii Konosuke
Others: Mouri Ran, Suzuki Sonoko, Kyogoku Makoto, Tooyama Kazuha, Suzuki Jirokichi, Nakamori Ginzo, Megure Juzo, Mouri Kogoro, Kuroba Chikage, Kudou Yuusaku, Kudou Yukiko
Detective Boys: Agasa Hiroshi, Haibara Ai, Yoshida Ayumi, Tsuburaya Mitsuhiko, Kojima Genta
Black Organization: Gunther von Goldberg II | Spider, Snake, Rose
Summary: Akako gives Kaito a prophecy: If KID is not captured by the demon of light, both of them would die and only if he gets captured will he be able to reach his goal. Kaito would rather go to jail than risk Shinichi's life
With Kaitou KID gone, Snake starts going after the jewels more actively and people get killed. It doesn't take Shinichi long to see a connection to KID – and that this is the last branch left of the BO he had taken down.
Shinichi forms a special task-force to end the BO for good. And for that, he needs Kaitou KID's help.
The White Collar Phantom Thief
The Secret of Pandora
Case 11: A Real Fake Date
Shinichi had rehearsed it in his head a hundred times since last night. Had reasoned with a fictional version of Kaito – and by extension with himself – why this was necessary. Only when he had stopped stumbling over his own thoughts and found himself able to contain his blush did he feel ready to actually face the real Kaito. The real Kaito, who was downstairs in the living room, laying on the couch, resting. He was still recovering. It had been a through and through and Haibara had stitched him up, but he still needed to rest. Not to aggravate the injury. Though it was more or less healed, it was still absolutely important to hold Kaitou KID back. The man could not sit still and rest and recover in peace if his literal life depended on it.
"K... Kuroba-kun," Shinichi cleared his throat, the name still coming hard over his lips.
Kaito, in the middle of performing a card-trick, turned to look at him immediately. "Yes?"
"Tomorrow..." Shinichi trailed off, losing some of his confidence. "We should go out."
There, it was out. He took a deep breath, bracing himself for Kaito's answer. All the while, he tried to remember that it wasn't real. He wasn't actually asking Kaito out. This was going to be tough.
"...Huh?" Kaito looked lost and surprised.
"For the... For the cover-story," Shinichi added. "We made a show of you moving in, but we haven't really... shown Kudou Shinichi and Tsukino Guinevere to the public since. To not raise suspicion."
"Ah," Kaito nodded slowly. "That's true. Right. Yes! Let's do that, I am dying to get out of this house finally! Because I have barely ever left this place outside of heists."
"Wonderful," Shinichi heaved a relieved sigh. "Then tomorrow evening, for dinner. We will be going out with Hattori and Hakuba-kun, to a proper restaurant."
"Not Sera-san and Ran-san?" Kaito asked, curious.
Shinichi cleared his throat and looked away from Kaito. "They're currently... Not really fighting, but... I told Ran the truth, while you were missing. And she's... she needs some time away from me. And her and Sera had... their own things to discuss after."
That was perhaps a bit vague, but Sera's truth wasn't his to share. And Kaito had a tendency to meddle. This was not his to meddle in. All Shinichi wanted was for Ran to get the time to truly deal with everything that has been revealed to her and come to terms with it.
/break\
It might be a fake date, bu—ut it was still a date! And yes, Kaito could hear how pathetic that sounded. Alas, fake dates might just be the best he could do. And either way, he got to go out, eat in a fancy restaurant and pretend to be Shinichi's fiance.
"Don't I look good?" Kaito grinned at himself in the mirror. "I'd date myself."
"...Of course you would. I'm not even surprised."
He twirled around to face Shinichi in surprise. The detective cleaned up nice too, wearing a dark-blue suit. Handsome, handsome detective. Kaito heaved a sigh, trying not to sound too dreamy.
"Oh, come on. I look stunning," Kaito winked at Shinichi.
And he did. With the red wig, the contacts, the dress was green and complimented both while also highlighting his curves. The heels made his ass and calves look so good. Out of the corner of his eyes, Kaito could see Shinichi blush. Heh. That was nice. Kaito could make Shinichi blush.
"So, where are you taking me tonight, dearest fiance?"
The blush on Shinichi's cheeks darkened cutely. "A steak-house. Do you have any idea how hard it is to find a restaurant agreeable with both Hattori and Hakuba-kun."
"Eh," Kaito shrugged lightly. "You just gotta put Aoko and the lovely Kazuha-san between them."
Shinichi made an agreeable noise at that. "Well then, come on. We don't want to be late."
A date night with Shinichi. Kaito tried not to look too giddy. But then again, he was supposed to play the role of Shinichi's fiance, so... he got to look giddy, right?
/break\
Hattori would have faked sickness – no, he would have actually broken a leg to get out of this – because a date night with Hakuba was actually featured in his top five of recurring nightmares. But then there was a small mercy, a small hope. Seeing flustered Shinichi having to pretend that he was dating Kaitou KID was going to be a lot of fun. Especially since Kudou had just realized that he was in love with KID. Which. Hattori could have told him that years ago, but oh well (finally Hattori had bested Kudou and come to a deduction first. Heh).
"That is a very nasty expression you are spotting there, Heiji."
Kazuha narrowed her eyes at him and poked his cheek. Heiji startled out of his thoughts, unable to fight a light flush. As though on auto-pilot did his hand dig into his pocket, feeling for the small box he'd been carrying for about three months now. In every pocket, every time he left somewhere. Fearing that if he left it at home, Kazuha may find it when cleaning up or looking for something. Sure, the safest way would be to just give it to her. He should. He really, really should. He knew that. He was also nearly completely sure of her answer, but there was that tiny little percentage of fear that she might say no. What would he do if she said no...?
"Hello? Earth to Heiji? Are you even listening to me?"
This time, Heiji really startled. "Ah, yeah. Sorry. Just... got a case on my mind."
The case of the maybe perhaps fiance. For now, he had to put that to rest. Concentrate on the now, otherwise Kazuha was definitely going to get suspicious. And he had a plan. A huge, big plan.
"I really like Kudou-kun's fiance," offered Kazuha after staring at him for a moment.
"Heh," Heiji couldn't help but snicker a little. "Yeah, she's great, isn't she?"
Kazuha narrowed her eyes at him, clearly able to see the slightly mean edge to Heiji's grin. He couldn't help it! There was such a funny irony to this whole situation. He linked their fingers and made his way toward the restaurant. In front of it stood Hakuba and Aoko already. Hng. Wasn't it sacrifice enough that he worked with Hakuba...?
"Hattori-kun," Hakuba stared him dead in the eyes for a second before he turned to smile charmingly at Kazuha. "Tooyama-san, you are looking absolutely lovely tonight."
What Heiji really hated was that Hakuba was perceived as charming by so many others. Including Kazuha. How frustrating. But at least Aoko was actually great. She was really cool, could stand her grounds with anyone, really headstrong.
"Hey, everyone!" Kaitou KID's fake feminine voice called out for them.
It was so weird for Heiji, knowing that this was KID. He was such a good actor, even knowing who was behind this mask – that this was a mask – he forgot at times. The six of them exchanged greetings and entered the restaurant together, being seated at their table.
For a while, Heiji mostly just sat there and watched Kazuha make small-talk with KID-as-Guinevere, laughing and having fun. Which, naturally, didn't last too long, with Hakuba, Heiji and Kudou all in one room. They were at least half-way through their meal (success! Heiji didn't remember the last time he'd gotten to finish a full main course when out with any of his colleagues) when someone screamed bloody murder. Hakuba picked up his napkin to pat the corner of his mouth, because he always had to be so very proper, and then leaning in to kiss Aoko's cheek.
"I suppose... you can go ahead ordering dessert."
At this point, Hakuba had also grown very used to what being out with Heiji, Kudou and/or Sera led to. Heiji just grinned at Kazuha, who rolled her eyes in the most fond way, knowing him. The most awkward was Shinichi though, who didn't seem to know what to do with KID. In the end, he quickly leaned down to peck KID's cheeks before practically rushing off, Hakuba and Heiji on his heels to seek out the victim and the witnesses.
/break\
Shinichi had never been more grateful for a murder. And wasn't that an awful thing to think? But every second he had to sit there next to KID, who was such an excellent actor, he seemed to know exactly what to do – when to take Shinichi's hand, when to bat his eyelashes at Shinichi, laugh at something or say something particularly sweet, use a petname. It felt so... natural. Not just the way KID found it in himself to act, but also being on the receiving end. It felt natural to flirt with KID – because they had been doing this for years now, flirting with each other, as Shinichi came to realize – to hear KID call him by some pet-name, to... just to be with KID, really.
"Kudou," Hattori stopped him, just after they had solved the case. "Hold on. You... got a sec?"
Shinichi's eyes wandered over to their table, catching KID's eyes for a second, before tearing himself away and nodding. It was so irrational, that he wanted to be there with KID but also dreaded going back there and sitting next to KID. Especially since he had the same reason for both. The way Kaito made his heart race, how easy it was to be with him. It felt both good and terrifying at the same time, the deep connection they had to each other.
"Sure. What's up?"
The two of them headed outside. Catching some fresh air, just the two of them. They sent Hakuba ahead back to the table, telling him they needed a moment. It was dark and cold outside already. They'd spent longer on solving the case than anticipated. Too many suspects, the victim really had been hated by everyone on his birthday party outing. Part of Shinichi wanted to just head home, but the restaurant was so grateful for their work, they'd offered them a free dessert. It'd be rude to decline and at the very least, the girls and KID deserved it, for the sake of waiting for them.
"There's something I wanted to talk to you about."
Shinichi raised his eyebrows. "Does it have anything to do with the ring you've been carrying around and keep fidgeting with whenever you're in thought? Oh, don't look so surprised. Hakuba-kun, Sera and I have a betting pool for when you'll ask Kazuha-san."
Hattori made a funny little noise of despair that made Shinichi smirk. He loved making good deductions, loved the startled expression on people's faces. The expression on Shinichi's face softened. This had been coming a long time, Heiji and Kazuha.
"Well then, what is it you wanted?" Shinichi asked. "Because I doubt you're asking for my advise on how to ask for her hand, because I think you'd get better advise from Kyogoku-kun."
"No," Hattori huffed and crossed his arms over his chest. "I have a plan. It's a very good plan. Very detailed. I just... I don't know when to ask her. Right now feels kind of wrong, while we're in the middle of this thing with KID. I don't want to paint a bigger target on her back, I don't want to be distracted by wedding planning. Feels wrong, doesn't it?"
Ah. That was what he wanted. Shinichi turned a little, looking through the large window to watch KID, laughing with Aoko and Kazuha. The thief was so likable. Even if Guinevere wasn't real, he put a lot of himself into that role. Shinichi noticed a lot of mannerisms and personality traits that were just the same whether it was Kaito or Guinevere.
"If there is one thing that being Conan taught me..." Shinichi tilted his head, considering his words very carefully. "It's that you shouldn't wait for the things that are important to you. And don't put a case before your personal life. Because the case... might just consume you."
For a moment, Shinichi just paused. "Kaito has been working on this case since he was sixteen years old. It's been years, Hattori. And nobody can guarantee if we won't take years too, even with our combined efforts. You already took forever to just kiss her, don't waste too much of your time now, just... just ask her. Move on with both your lives."
Advise he wished he would have gotten years ago himself. He'd always put his cases before everything else and it had nearly gotten him killed on... well, on multiple occasions actually. He'd let Ran get away from him, had pursued justice over love. And never would he want to make that mistake again. But then, what would that mean? He was in love with Kaito. He did not want to run away from love again, which would mean to... to confess to Kaito.
"I... I guess you're right," Hattori cleared his throat. "What about ya?"
Shinichi had made the horrible decision to tell Hattori about his feelings for Kaito. "I... am feeling like dessert. I think we should head back inside."
Dodged that one, at least for now. What was he supposed to say? It was easier giving good advise than to actually do so himself. With a heavy sigh did he return to Kaito's side, sitting down next to him. The false face of Guinevere turned toward him with a smile and Shinichi found himself wishing to do this with the real Kaito. But could he? Was there...
That was the thing Shinichi hadn't allowed himself to think about just yet. What about Kaito's feelings toward him? Rivalry? Friendship? More? If he distanced himself from all their interactions and looked at it like a detective dissecting clues for a case, he would most likely be able to pinpoint Kaito's exact feelings for him, but... he was afraid of it.
Afraid to realize that all Kaito saw in them was friendly rivals. Afraid to get his heart broken. It was easier not to look and not to get a definite answer than to know the definite answer was no, because as long as he didn't know, it was all still possible. Which in itself was probably the most un-Shinichi thing he could do, wasn't it? He left no stone unturned. Solved every case. Had never backed down. Yet this wasn't some mere case, this was... so much more important.
/break\
Kaito's heart was still thumping in excitement when he went to his room. It felt so very much like his after heist high. But it wasn't. Nothing got stolen. In fact, it was more or less a normal outing, really. Restaurant, food, a murder. The kind of evening – well, aside from the murders, he guessed – that many people experienced on the daily. But it was so incredibly exciting to experience it with Shinichi. Feel like he'd been on a date with Shinichi.
He was quite the mess, wasn't he? Tormenting himself like this. Pretending to be Shinichi's fiance, holding hands with him, kissing his cheek in public. Living with him here, right now.
It was to finally finish this mission. To defeat Snake and his organization. Or so he told himself.
Once he was out of his costume and changed into something more comfortable, he walked out of his bedroom and to the library. He always found himself drawn to the library, because that was where he found Shinichi, usually at least.
"Hello, tantei-kun," Kaito offered a broad grin.
Shinichi scowled. Of course he did, he always did when Kaito decided to call him tantei-kun. That was the cute thing though, because it never felt entirely serious. More playful? Or perhaps Kaito was imagining that in his own heart-shaped view on things.
"I thought you headed to bed."
"Na—ah, can't sleep yet. What about you? What are you reading?"
"Leads," said Shinichi after a moment. "Interrogating the assassin known as Rose hadn't... exactly brought us a whole lot of certain information, but every now and again, she gives herself away. We've been gathering potential places, targets from the organization. I'm trying to narrow it down to where we should go next. Which seems to be the most likely next target."
"Let me help with that," Kaito went to sit down next to Shinichi. "Gimme some of these."
Finally did Shinichi actually look up at him. He was reluctant for a moment, but then he handed some files over to Kaito. These things, they were getting harder and harder too. Working with Shinichi. Because it was so easy. He'd fallen into a kind of routine with Shinichi, on the domestic side of things, now that they lived together, but the working together part. The working together part, that Kaito was already used to. They had years of experience with that. And it was a familiar thrill, one Kaito had always sought to repeat.
"I..." Kaito trailed off, not knowing what to say.
"Hakuba-kun and Aoko-chan are heading to Kairo, following a lead on Spider," Shinichi spoke when it became evident that Kaito wasn't going to finish his sentence. "They will make it look like they're going on a little vacation together. Just so you know."
"Good..." Kaito cleared his throat. "Good for them."
"Akai is going to follow them, since you and Hakuba-kun made this Spider out to sound quite dangerous," Shinichi looked up. "So don't worry about Aoko-chan. She'll be safe."
A faint smile spread over Kaito's lips at that. It was so nice how much Shinichi thought about Kaito and his concerns. He'd always worry about Aoko, even though she was capable enough to take care of herself. But then so had been his father, hadn't he?
"I had fun tonight," Kaito had finally found the words he'd been looking for earlier.
A pause. Shinichi flushed, even as he tried to turn away from Kaito so Kaito couldn't see it.
"I bet you did, after you've been holed up in here for so long."
"Not just that," Kaito's words were soft. "I had fun with you, Shinichi."
He had never seen Shinichi this lost and flustered at the same time. "...What?"
A bittersweet smile spread over Kaito's lips before he could lock it away and shake his head. "Look at this. This one seems... promising."
The change in topic gave Shinichi slight whiplash but he was thankfully quick to latch onto the file. Blue eyes wandered over the file with their usual intensity. Gorgeous. Kaito could watch Shinichi study files all day long. And that was saying a lot for a man who could never sit still for long.
Once he was through, Shinichi looked up at Kaito. "Why this one?"
"The name," Kaito tapped it. "Red Moon. I don't know, but... I do always feel most hopeful about the ones whose names remind me of the legend of Pandora. Things like Greek mythology related names, or, well, this. The gem is supposed to bleed red under the moonlight."
"As good a reason to go after this like any other," Shinichi shrugged. "It's a family heirloom to the Akatsuki family. That... mh. That's more tricky to navigate."
"Wha—at. I can handle a family estate."
"More tricky for us," Shinichi glared at him. "When it's the museum or Suzuki, we have more of a foot in the door, plus access to layouts and such. Private homes..."
"Meitantei, I have utter trust in your ability to get your foot in the door and get your will," Kaito grinned, half fond and half teasing. "You always had that ability, you always will have it."
Shinichi looked at him confused. The words were so clear, but they felt like there was another meaning to them. To the feelings behind them. Kaito got up, before he could dwell too much on his own feelings. He was brimming with emotions today, because he loved Shinichi and tonight had felt too much like something he'd only ever dreamed of.
"I think I'll head to bed for tonight, I'm tired now. Good night, Shin-chan."
That seemed to confuse Shinichi, but he nodded. "Good night... Kaito."
Kaito. Mh. How much Kaito loved the sound of that. With a smile on his lips, he headed toward his bedroom again. He wasn't really tired, he just felt too raw in the same room as Shinichi, too tempted to tell Shinichi something that he may not yet be ready to hear.
However! Now he had a distraction for himself! He had a heist to plan. Something to focus on. Something that could make him not think of Shinichi. A hand wandered down to cup his healing injury. He should heal some more before actually attempting the next heist though.
Author's note: We are getting oh-so close to a confession, can you smell it in the air too? Poor love-sick fools v_V So! Next chapter, more KaiShin and more heisting! Time to move that Pandora plot along too ;D
