smokebombsandmirrors:

Him glanced over his shoulder at the mention of Hakuba forcing him to go the hospital much less anything and snorted.

“I’d like to see you try~”

He took up a spatula and removed the lid he had used to cover the pan to keep there food semi warm. After he transfered them on to plates he set one one the counter near Hakuba and began a small clean up. Moving the pan and the bowl he had used to beat the eggs in to the sink and the navy blue apron to the hook near the pantry. Rooting through a draw the produced two forks and set that near the others plate as well.

Finally he looked back to the detective and offered an easy smile. He was flattered, true the compliment was just a tad bit unnatural to hear from the source but it did something funny to his stomach to hear. As he pour the hot water into the china or the tea he chirped. 

“Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed the show and I hope you may participate in the next in one?” He finished with just a more hope in his voice than he wold have liked to show but he had already stamped most of it down.

“Ah…”  Right, the heists. Hakuba bit his lip as he recalled the previous night and how difficult it was, warring with himself on whether or not he should attend. He let his gaze wander to Kaito’s hands, watching him as he set everything out, and let his breath out slowly. “I… suppose that depends on when it is, really. I ah…" 

It was difficult to discuss, even now. They’d left so much unsaid the last time they were together, the night before notwithstanding. He set a hand on the back of one of the chairs, hesitating. Kuroba was Kid. It was fact. It was acknowledged by them both. Hakuba wasn’t going to arrest him. That, too – fact. And… he’d kissed him. Kuroba had said he’d needed him, kissed his cheek, that he was precious, that he’d liked him for a very long time.

But how much did he dare hold the other accountable for? 

Flushed again, Hakuba continued with an awkward shrug. "As I said last night, it’s just that my priorities have changed. If I’m still in the country… I’ll attend and, ah, I will think about participating. As long as it’s safe to.”

smokebombsandmirrors:

Now that he had said something Kaito calculated where he was. “Surprisingly, I feel great. My leg twinges a bit so that means I won’t be able to stretch the way I need to but other than that I feel like I’ve just had the best sleep in my well since I started my heist.”

He was also failing to mention that this had been this first night in what seemed like forever that he made it through with out a nightmare chasing his heels. 

“Oh, that’s… that’s good, then! Perhaps I’ve done an all right job and you can avoid the hospital after all. Somehow, I can’t see you being keen on the idea, though I would have likely forced you to go if it had been serious.”  Hakuba filled the air with nervous chatter, coming into the kitchen that felt all too familiar from the other day. 

…the other day when he’d come for advice, had confirmed the truth, and had left with that coveted prize. So much had happened since then, yet it felt like there’d been no progress at all. 

“The… the, ah, fireworks were a good move, incidentally. Very flashy. Good show.”

smokebombsandmirrors:

Kaito tossed his head back and laughed. Deep and husky. Winking at the detective he relaxed. “I was just teasing, Hakuba. I really appreciate you going out of your way to help me. You really didn’t have to.”

 Now that he had successfully manage to settle himself a little he got  good look at Hakuba. At first it was just a quick glance, something that he always did but after seeing what he was wearing he took another look. He couldn’t remember if he had ever seen the detective in anything other than their high school uniform or a suit. He looked … Kaito coughed awkwardly. He had been staring just a little to long. 

“Ah, come on, breakfast is here.” He squeaked and moved to towards the kitchen; ears burning.

Despite all of the fame and interviews and public speaking that Hakuba had to do, it was difficult for him to have so much attention one-on-one. The detective, running a hand through his hair, looked away the longer Kaito stared, and cleared his throat with a little cough. He wanted to respond about his coming over, but thoughts interrupted, he just stammered and followed after.

“Ah, right… breakfast… ah, how do you feel, incidentally? Tired? Leg aching? I’ve some pain medication, now that the alcohol’s likely run its course…" 

smokebombsandmirrors:

Kaito smiled as if something clicked into place. That little all knowing smile. “Your duty had you drive in the opposite direction of the heist just to perform a path job? Or was it the chance of seeing me in my underwear?~”

He was joking of course and he realized that he probably shouldn’t. Not with Hakuba just waking up but the disgruntled detective was just too cute right now and he could never give up the opportunity to get him to blush the way he did last night. Kaito blanked and shifted internally. Sure enough there was a small flash of Hakuba blushing but why? What did he do last night?!

The blush deepened as designed, and Hakuba awkwardly tugged at his t-shirt, struggling to maintain composure through the embarrassing irritation. “Y-you called me, asking for my help, Kuroba-kun! I got out of bed and drove over because you were injured, and you said that I was the only one who could assist you. S-so, don’t you start that sort of nonsense! I was obligated to help you!" His pride did not allow for him to say otherwise, and he wasn’t about to try.

It was true, though. At least, that he’d gotten to see quite a bit of Kaito’s legs the night before… but it hadn’t been his intent. He sniffed, frown firmly in place as he shook out the sleeves of his jacket to make sure that as much of his skin was covered as possible. He felt ridiculously informal, which was unfortunate given the situation. So exposed. Bare feet, no collar, no tie… miserable! 

smokebombsandmirrors:

Kaito raised and eyebrow at the sudden change. Smiling he straightened and moved his twitching hands into his jean’s pockets. “Better.” 

He broke and sighed. “I’m sorry but I’m going to assumed I called or you came over last night. I don’t really remember much when I drink Whiskey. It’ll come in blurred pieces but a full memory won’t come back. I’m sorry for what ever I did, or said or …yeah.”

By the time he finished his apology he was blushing. “How about some breakfast? I made omelets and some Earl Grey … and … “

He felt like he was stalling. The whole situation reminded him of that one time he passed out at a one night stand. That morning was a jumble mess. He froze at that thought. WAIT! He didn’t sleep with Hakuba?! Right? Placing a trembling hand to his mouth he felt his face flush completely. 

Timid and awkward, Hakuba pulled himself into a sit on the couch and ran a hand through his hair, attempting in vain to rid himself of some of the bed head. It was only mildly successful, but he put on a forced smile anyway. 

“Breakfast sounds wonderful, actually… especially the Earl Grey. Thank you, Kuroba-kun,” he said, then bit his lip as he considered the rest of what he’d said. “And, ah, don’t worry about last night… you just needed a quick patch job, and I fortunately had my med kit at hand, so… it was just…” Hakuba shrugged, helplessly. “You know… my duty, or something…" 

smokebombsandmirrors:

Kaito was nearly down with breakfast before the nerves hit him again. Placing everything down he rested his empty hands against the counter and breathed. His hand were shaking and there was this nagging feeling in his gut that he did something borderline imbecilic. He reached over and shut the burner off and took the pan off the stove. The last thing he wanted was to serve burnt omelets.

He peeked into the living room and found the detective still asleep. Keena and Shiori chirped lightly at him from the back of the couch. He shh’ed them and carefully walked over the sleeping man and reached for him. He pause his hand just shy of carding it threw the blonde hair and swallowed. What was he doing?

Placing it on the other’s shoulder he gently rocked him. “Hakuba.”

“Hmmn…?”  Hakuba asked, eyes staying closed as he burrowed deeper into the couch. “Baaya?” But, no, it wasn’t Baaya. That voice was entirely unlike Baaya. It was… “Kuroba-kun?” The detective turned his head, squinting, to look up at him. 

Why was Kuroba in his house? No, wait; he was the intruder, not Kuroba. The night’s events slowly slipped back into place as Hakuba stared at Kaito, suddenly flush with shy embarrassment.

“Ah- oh, s-sorry, I… fell asleep… ah… uhm… How is your leg?”

smokebombsandmirrors:

Kaito smiled a little softer after all he never fell asleep first in the company of others. Once the detective’s breathing evened he finally fell into a complete sleep.

He had managed to get a good solid four hours of sleep before he woke to find his arm asleep. Groaning Kaito shifted and opened his eyes to stare at the sun light streaming threw his windows. Blinking he lifted his head when the couch rose and fell underneath him. Slowly he turned and looked down.

Hakuba.

Never in his life had he moved as fast as he had in that moment. With his heart slammed into his throat Kaito sat on the floor where he fell to. He remembered drinking last night but … placing a hand to his head he tried to recall Hakuba showing up but the last place he remember was at the heist. What did he do last night? Oh by the gods what did he say?! 

Shaky he stood and quietly made his way upstairs, changed then walked back down to start making breakfast. 

For his part, the detective did little more than sigh in his sleep and shift to roll onto his side, face curled into the back of the couch. It was nice to be free of that weight that had trapped him, and pulling his legs in let him feel a little more comfortable. A little more safe. He didn’t recognize the texture of the couch fabric, and the scent of the pillows was familiar, but not what he was used to. 

That it was light out was only a minor annoyance; he often ended up sleeping in after heists, and the residual effects of the alcohol kept his consciousness safely harbored in vague and wispy dreams.