Pride and Obligation

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! 

Pride and Obligation

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…" 

Pride and Obligation

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?”

Pride and Obligation

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. 

Pride and Obligation

smokebombsandmirrors:

He shook his head sleepily and buried his nose in the neck. Just to get a good whiff of the man scent. That was comforting to him. Calm , familiar scents. Smiling against the soft skin he felt sleep finally start to take him over.

“I’m happy your here, Hakuba. So happy.” He mumbled and drifted deeper into sleep.

Hakuba tucked his chin so that he could watch him as he fell asleep, concern for the moment outweighing the logic trains his mind took in the background. Arms held round with fingers laced to keep them there, he leaned back a little, attempting to get comfortable so that he, too, could get some much-needed rest.

“I’m… happy, too,” he offered in a whisper, and sleepily wondered how this whole thing had come about. It was so vastly different than what he’d expected. But then, this was Kuroba Kaito he was talking about, and he was anything but predictable. 

Before long, Hakuba was asleep, too.

Pride and Obligation

smokebombsandmirrors:

Kaito grinned and climbed in after. He stretched out fully against the other and nestled his head in the crook or Hakuba’s neck. Sighing he relaxed and wound he legs with the other’s as his hand slipped under and around Hakubas chest and waist. “Perfect~”

Well then. This was rather… intimate.  Hakuba blinked several times as Kaito made himself comfortable, looking down at him with an expression that was a mix between morbid curiosity and confusion. But… at least Kaito looked comfortable, which was important for recovering from that sort of thing. 

“Not too much pressure on your leg, I hope?” was all he could think of to ask, loosely draping his arms over his back to hold him there. 

Pride and Obligation

smokebombsandmirrors:

“I’ll go if you join me?~”

“If I… If I join you?”  Hakuba blinked again, looking from him to the couch, then to the blankets in his arms. Well, he supposed that would let him keep track of Kaito easily enough… and he was very tired. Gulping, the detective nodded, stepping closer to the couch. “All… all right. I’ll sit here and you can… just.. get comfortable however…" 

He moved to the side of the couch, stiffly taking a seat next to the couch cushions and attempted to figure out how to get his legs arranged… watching Kaito, cautiously, as he swung them up onto the couch to leave room for Kaito to… lie on top of him? 

"Like this?”

Pride and Obligation

smokebombsandmirrors:

He pouted and tilted his head to the side. “Maybe but doesn’t alcohol bring out the truth?” 

He leaned over with Hakuba and poked the detective in the cheek. “Cute … you’re blushing.”

“It… it has been said that there is truth in wine,” Hakuba admitted, blinking at how close Kaito had gotten. Then, clearing his throat, he put on a pouting frown and blushed harder. “I… I am not. Now go on, get on the couch, get some rest; you must be exhausted." 

Waiting Pleasantries

patientxpetals:

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   ”Yer a detective?” She brought her bare hands up to her face and blew into them hotly, the tips of her fingers curling into her palms. She didn’t hate the cold, but she didn’t appreciate it when it nipped at the parts of her that she had forgotten to cover.

   ”Madison Grey,” she cast a small smile over the tops of her hands, “It’s nice t’ meet’cha. M’sorry for approachin’ ya the way I did, but I ain’t used t’ th’ area.”

“Yes, I am… and really, it’s not a problem at all, Miss Grey.” Hakuba laughed, a sort of soft, rolling sound. “The bus schedules can be quite tricky to manage in a city like this; it’s easy to get turned around. I’m just pleased that I had the opportunity to help you in some way.”

Always trying to be the charmer, the tall blond quirked his smile so that it slanted crookedly on his face, showing just a little bit of teeth. “Do you mind if I get terribly nosy and ask where you’re headed? I have such a difficult time with my curiosity, being who I am and all." 

Pride and Obligation

smokebombsandmirrors:

Kaito gave him a measured look before limping back to the couch. “Yes he is. Don’t worry he’ll come around.” 

Leaning slightly towards him he also whispered. “I’d suggest bring sunflower seeds next time.”

The thief straightened, stretched his arms high over his head, and yawned. He was done for the night and couldn’t wait to curl up under the blanket Hakuba had brought down.

“You have always been precious to me. I have really liked you for a long time.” He grinned and blushed slightly looking up at him.

Sunflower seeds, right. Hakuba made a mental note of that, then smirked as he watched Kaito stretch. The action distracted his tired mind so much that he nearly missed the little confession, though the blush caught his attention just in time to backtrack and – “Wh-what?”

Stumbling in place, he dropped the blanket to the floor and shook his head, trying to make sense of it. But no, Kaito had said that he liked him. Really liked him. That he was precious to him. What? 

“I… You have?” he asked, tilting his head to one side, cautious. “Is this just the alcohol talking, Kuroba-kun? You should really lie down…” He bent over to pick up the blanket, trying to hide the blush on his own face.