Tag Archives: the interim

by

The Interim

smokebombsandmirrors:

Pain both physical and psychological lanced across his face before he could stop it. He bowed his head and cautiously moved off the steps towards him. About a few pace left he stopped. “I’m  …. scared. I was absolutely terrified that you still had the urge to catch KID-” He inhaled and shook his head. “To catch me. When you said that you didn’t well … I got relieved and happy.  Down right ecstatic! I just laughed reflexively. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I never wanted ….” 

He broke off and blushed. The monocle was cool to his palm when he lifted it and held it out to the detective- no friend in front of him. Hakuba was his FRIEND. He wanted him to know. “You were right, have always been right. I can understand if you don’t want to talk to me or even …” he swallowed. “see me but can you at least take this. It’ll bring you luck. This one was my fathers and has managed to keep me safe. So hopefully it’ll bring some of that protection or luck or whatever to you. You can go back to England – to home with your head held high. You had caught me the moment you figured everything out and I’m sorry.” 

He sighed and chewed at his bottom lip. Gently he laid the metal and glass disk on the side walk in front of him, turned and walked back into the Kuroba home. 

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It was all a bit much for Hakuba to take in at once. He listened without moving, back to Kaito, turning to look away as he spoke, but his feet stayed rooted to the spot. He didn’t take the offered monocle; he didn’t even see the outreaching hand. Really, he couldn’t even see much past the blur, eyes brimming with tears that he held back.

What did it mean? Did Kuroba trust him? Hakuba swallowed, head hanging with eyes closed as he listened… and waited until the door closed before doing anything at all, gradually unclenching his fists, letting his shoulders sag. 

He turned, glancing down to the walk and held his breath as he knelt to retrieve it. This was Kuroba Toichi’s?  The detective turned it over in his hand, fingerpads pressing over the rim, the cord, the charm. It was beautiful, authentic, and hard, physical evidence. Evidence he could use to have Kuroba Kaito arrested for his crimes. Hakuba glanced at the door, then back at the object in his hands, wondering what to do. 

You were right, have always been right… You caught me the moment you figured everything out and I’m sorry. 

Hakuba heard the hitch in his breath before he felt it, choking on the sudden surge of emotions that came out in a tangled mess. He’d wanted it confirmed for so long. He’d been right. He’d trusted his instincts, done his homework, and stayed the course despite everyone shutting him down. No one had believed him, but he’d been right. He’d been right and Kuroba had admitted it. 

He wasn’t a failure. 

You can go back to England – to home with your head held high. 

Tucking the monocle into an inside pocket of his suit jacket, he turned back too walk to his car, wooden box under his arm. He’d come for advice and gotten it… gotten more than, even; a victory, a potential friend, an olive branch of trust. 

And now he wasn’t sure if he wanted to go home. 

At least he managed to make it back to his car before the tears came in a wave, strangling him and his chest as he sank into the seat. What was he going to do? Why had Kuroba decided to trust him now? Was it because he was leaving? Was he no loner a threat? Was it a parting gift? A way of saying ‘now you don’t ever need to come back’? What if he wanted to?

He sobbed into his arms in the open-topped red convertible, shoulders shaking, bent over the steering wheel. There was too much pain, too much relief, too many feelings all wrapped up that he couldn’t adequately deduce. And, hard as he cried, it didn’t seem to help. 

Instead of a answer, he only found himself with more questions. 

by

The Interim

smokebombsandmirrors:

He heard the slick of the lock and surged upward in an impulsive response. Mari and Keena we’re chirping at the door and he found the monocle resting on the side table. His hands were shaking and his vision was starting to tunnel. He swung the door open and launched out.

“Hakuba! I …. I ”

The detective stopped halfway down the walk, car in the corner of his peripheral vision- his getaway. He considered making a run for it, certain that even if Kuroba caught up for whatever reason, he wouldn’t be able to stop him from leaving. But when the thought ran its course, he turned to look over his shoulder at him instead, expression worn and faded. Hakuba was tired of all of this.

“What, Kuroba-kun? Did you forget some other piece of helpful advice? Or are you just eager to take one last shot at me before I leave?”

by

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.

by

The Interim

smokebombsandmirrors:

That was all he needed to know. Kaito felt a smile slowly work its way across his face. A crazy unhinged smile that held a laugh behind it. This crazy detective. Taking in why expression he stepped aside, sobered his expression, and whistled twice.

“I shouldn’t have pushed like that. I know you hate him. It just caught me off guard.” Kaito said and watched the stairs.

Hakuba turned away from him, reaching for the wooden box of tea on the table in a huff, then gathered up his letters to stuff them back into the inside pocket of his suit jacket. “I don’t believe that I need you to tell me how I feel about anyone,” he snapped, ears pink with the heat of his broiling emotions. 

He briskly moved past him, turning only once he was just ahead to offer a polite bow, though the scowl stayed fixed firmly in place. “Thank you for the tea. Good day, Kuroba-kun. I hope you have a wonderful life.”

As much as it hurt to be leaving like this, but the detective couldn’t see any other alternative, not with Kaito laughing at him. He turned stiffly on his heel again and marched for the door.  It had been a mistake to come. 

by

The Interim

smokebombsandmirrors:

“Damn it, wait!!” Kaito shouted and blocked the detective with his body. Which his broken ribs managed to scream at him for the sudden movement.  "If you had the chance to catch him, would you do it?!“

He was dead serious. There was a small warning bells going off in his head saying that he should stop.  

Hakuba stopped short at the sudden roadblock, drawing back with a frown of surprise, then severe annoyance. As he looked down at his former classmate, the words caught in his throat. How much could he say without getting into trouble? He was truly caught within the barriers of wanting to clear his own conscience and protecting the damned boy before him. 

He took in a deep breath and let it out slowly, fingers twitching as they went for the watch in his pocket, though he didn’t bring it out- only brushed his thumb over the engraved cover while he thought.

"I’ve already had plenty of opportunity, Kuroba-kun, and I have not taken them, nor will I at this juncture. But even if you don’t believe that…” he said, making no attempt to disguise the contempt in his voice as he looked away, equal parts embarrassed and frustrated. “…no. I would not arrest Kaitou Kid. And in that way, I know I have failed… but I believe it is worth it." 

by

The Interim

smokebombsandmirrors:

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.

by

The Interim

smokebombsandmirrors:

Keena cooed at him then flew back to her master. As if that was her answer. Kaito narrowed his eyes. “Can’t go through with it? You? Why not?”

“…Why not?” Hakuba glanced back, expression incredulous as he regarded the other teenager. “I… well, I thought that was obvious, Kuroba-kun.” Another huff and he picked up his tea cup again, sipping from it in irritation. “I’m clearly not going to capture Kaitou Kid. Therefore, I will never succeed. It shouldn’t be surprising." 

Really, after berating him for the accusations, now this? Such a thing! 

by

The Interim

smokebombsandmirrors:

“I see … you …really want this? What about …” catching me? He finished that sentence in his head. Frustrated he sighed and raked his fingers through his hair, this time his hair went crazier. He continued to ignore the pressure in his chest. Opening the fridge he pulled out a water bottle and twisted off the cap harshly. A long gulp washed back the bitter feelings in his throat. Keena cooed and Kaito turned his head to see why. Hakuba was stroking her lovingly.

“ …. then go.” He said quietly. “This is your dream Hakuba. You deserve a chance to take it.”

I’m going to miss you. Kaito smiled freely and openly at the detective he had known for a couple of years. 

Hakuba wanted to be upset with the answer. It was what he’d expected; taking any chance to send the one person who knew his secret away. It hurt. But when Hakuba saw the smile, he held his breath. That wasn’t a cruel expression; it was genuine affection, and it caught him off guard. 

He continued to pet Keena, though his movements slowed as his thoughts were derailed and distracted, looking back to the envelopes with a small frown. “It… it isn’t so simple, Kuroba-kun… I still have work here to do, and I don’t…”  He sighed, frustrated, shoulders sagging as he leaned back in the chair again. 

“I don’t want to go home a failure. England sent their champion to take care of Japan’s problem, and I… I can’t go through with my task. But I also don’t see a future for me here… Yet, I… I almost don’t want to leave, either." 

Hanging his head, he huffed, looking to Keena as if she had the answer to his problems. "I used to be so sure of everything; now I don’t know what to do.”

by

The Interim

smokebombsandmirrors:

He froze. Even his breathing paused. There were two colleges to England and only one to Japan. Oxford and Cambridge some of the top colleges in the world. They provide so much and asked for so little in return. He would receive some of the best schooling there. He’d also be near family. Hands down Kaito would have chosen either of the two but …

He smiled and shut down the emotions that threatened. “That is a hard choice.”

Don’t go! Don’t go to England! Kaito’s mind kept screaming as he took another sip of tea. His hands though weren’t steadied at all. Mentally cursing himself he set the cup back down with a clack and stood. Keena moved off his shouder to rest near Hakuba and bumped her head against his hand for scritches. 

“Just those three?”

“A few others, as well, including one in the United States, but I’ll be damned before I go there. God, I mostly just wanted to see if I could get in…”  Hakuba laughed, setting his own cup down to give Keena more attention, watching her as he stroked her little head. “But the three I mentioned are all… absolutely amazing. My Mum went to Cambridge, so that’s where she’d like me to go. My father went to Keio. And I…" 

The detective sighed at that, closing his eyes as he mulled the words over in his head, wondering if he should even say them. ”…well, before everything with Kaitou Kid, I’d always dreamed of going to Oxford. Ever since I was a little boy. But wherever I choose… that… that is where I’ll apply for citizenship, begin networking, and setting up my career path for the rest of my life.“ 

He pursed his lips, then looked back up to Kaito, cautiously. "I don’t have very long to reply… so this summer is more or less the interim between me and my future. I’m a bit terrified.”

by

The Interim

smokebombsandmirrors:

Kaito was stunned. There was so many different people he could have asked. His family was one, Nakamouri-keibu, the other detectives he knew. Yet as stunned as he was he was strangely humbled and touched by his actions. Shifting in his own seat he cleared his throat and ignored his hot cheeks.

“I … well I think a Congrats is in order first. As for the decision: where are the colleges located and which is going to benefit you more by going to it. I’d consider these. Do you mind telling me which one you’ve gotten accepted to.”

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“Well, they’re… they’re all quite impressive, actually. I’d probably be happy going to any of them. The, ah, complicated part comes in with the location…” Hakuba took a deep breath and spread the envelopes out in his hand like they were playing cards, plucking one to show, then set it down on the table. “Keio, here in Japan,” he set it down. “And then Oxford and Cambridge, back in England." 

With ‘cards’ on the table, the detective leaned back in his seat, carefully glancing up to watch for any sort of reaction. It was Kuroba’s chance to help send the pesky detective away, really. Would he take it?

"Four years in criminal science. I’ve got to decide my which country to settle my citizenship by my 21st birthday. So, you see, it’s a matter of… going home or permanently leaving it…"