“Okay! That’s it!! I called you because you are the only person I have. The only one I can trust. I’m sorry that it was so late. I’m sorry that I inconvenienced you but DAMN IT I need you.” He shouted and yanked the door open. Warm air blasted him in the face and he walked into the concrete room. Opening the steel door he welcome the flames licks and tossed the bag inside. As it burn the door was closed and he went back to Hakuba.
“I need you … ” Kaito said again tired. Covering his the side of his face with his hand. "I’m tired.“
He began to head back up stairs towards the living room. Just before exiting the room he turned back to Hakuba. “I’m sorry, thank you. There’s a guest bedroom up stairs if you want to use that.”
I need you.
Hakuba felt the words long before he heard them, realized what Kuroba was trying to say. It was as if the heat from the incinerator tore through him, too, stealing his breath and his thoughts, and everything else all at once. The detective was left staring at the other boy, mouth open in speechless surprise.
Apologies, confessions, vulnerabilities… It took a few seconds for Hakuba to remember that none of this was a dream. It was real, and Kuroba was drunk off his ass and in pain. Emotions ran close to the surface in tumultuous waters; they’d nearly knocked Hakuba over.
He watched helplessly as Kuroba walked past him, started up the stairs, trying to sort out in his mind what he was supposed to do with all of this feeling that overwhelmed him. Finally, a few seconds later, he gave a nod, following after. "Y-yes… thank you, Kuroba-kun, that would be appreciated.”
What should he say about the rest of it? Anything? Nothing? He felt so entirely lost. Everything was changing.