The magician/thief blinked at him wide eyed before tilting his head in confusion. That was unexpected but it was also such a let down.
“So you’re just going to give up?" Kaito said before thinking about it but that offended him. He always gave it his all. He thought that even though they went at each other throat they had fun. The detective seemed, to him at least, to open up a bit more. So what does that mean now? "Did you stop trying at the heists too?”
Now Hakuba blushed, turning away with an irritated scowl, sipping the last of his tea before setting the cup back on the plate and reached for a cookie, though he really, really wasn’t hungry anymore. “You have other detectives to play with,” he snapped, then grimaced, hissing a frustrated breath as he set the cookie down, hand running through his hair again.
“Bloody hell.. I mean, HE has other detectives to play with. My priorities have changed. I’ve no interest in arresting the damned thief, but I’ll continue to work with the task force as long as I’m able."
Things were turning badly very quickly, and Hakuba glanced toward the exit, wondering what he would need to do in order to excuse himself appropriately. He didn’t want to fight, not now. Not when they’d actually had a moment of civility. Not when there had been a small glimmer of hope for something other than disdain between them.
Not when he might have had ONE friend in the whole bloody country to confide in.
"Perhaps I should go; I’ve kept you from your work long enough, Kuroba-kun. Thank you for your hospitality and advice.” He pushed back from the table and stood, taking a moment to adjust his tie and collar.