The Interim

smokebombsandmirrors:

Kaito had froze wide eyed and terrified. Hakuba was leaving. He was going to leave Japan. That was for the best …. The heists will be easier … . He stared at the water bottle in his hand then launched it across the dinning room where it hit with a loud thunk and exploding water. “DAMN IT!!”

A soft coo pulled him from his thoughts. Keena and Mari, his pure white dove, were sitting on the back of the sofa. Under Mari’s foot was his monocle. He leaped. “Good girl, Mari! take it to Hakuba and please pray that this does not piss him off further. Keena please go with her.”

Kaito slowly slid to the floor in the kitchen his strength finally fading. Crouched over himself he waited for the door to slam shut and the possible string of curse words. He also waited for Hakuba to walk right out of his life forever.

“You are a stupid, contradicting fool, Kuroba Kaito. Who can’t even tell a friend you don’t want him you go.” He buried his face into his knees. “I’m sorry , Hakuba.

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Hakuba had just managed to exchange the house slippers for his shoes when the birds found him, one on each shoulder. He sighed, letting his head hang for a moment before turning to look at each of them – and the monocle. Curiously, he held a hand out for it and frowned as it ended up in his palm. He’d heard the water bottle, the exclamation, and now Kuroba’s birds were bringing him evidence. 

Is he mocking me? He wondered, both hurt and furious. But there was another thought – a peace offering? 

No. Certainly not. He held the monocle very carefully in his palm, fingers curled protectively, and offered his hand to each bird, transferring them to the top of the shoe cubby. Then he stood, took out his handkerchief, and wiped it down of any fingerprint. "No, little one, I’m not to see this, or touch it,” he said, showing it to her before setting it down between the two. “You let your master know, will you?”

After a little head skritch for them both, he stepped up to the door… then rested his forehead against it, warring with himself. What had he hoped for? That Kuroba would beg him to stay? He’d given good advice – follow the path you’d dreamed of. But could he leave his work unfinished? It hadn’t been his original intention- to capture Spider, then to arrest Kid  -the game had changed to one of protection, but it was still no less important. 

Yet, if Kuroba didn’t want his help… what was the point in delaying the inevitable defeat? 

He left, closing the door quietly behind him and pulled until he heard the soft click to know that it had been properly closed.