whiteknighthakuba replied to your post: “Hmmm, let’s see. 1) Are you ticklish? And, 2) Where do you like to be kissed?”“Ah, so I see! Do you think I could get your permission to investigate the issue? Perhaps set up an appointment~?”“Oh, I don’t see why not. I have plenty of timeslots open, so setting up an appointment won’t be an issue at all~ It all comes down to whenever you have time, detective~”
“Oh, I really don’t think that this can wait. I’ll make time. Are you free tonight?"
He swallowed, whatever faint flash of relief flickering through him at getting that shadow, that thing, away from the detective disappearing in an instant as dark mist settled around them. Arms wrapping tightly around the blonde and hands curling almost painfully into the back of his shirt, protectively, blue eyes gazed around the room, searching for any sign of the shadow and any hint on how it planned to attack next.
“I-I’m sorry,” Kaito whispered, voice momentarily catching in his throat. No amount of apologies would be enough though. Hakuba could’ve died. If he hadn’t—
“I didn’t think it would— I thought I’d lost it.”
He shook his head in an attempt to clear it, forcing the panic and fear away as best he could in place of a determined and serious expression, a quiet, shaky breath leaving his throat. “…Fire. From what I’ve been able to figure out, it’s weak against fire. Do you have anything we can use as a torch? Or a room without cracks, perhaps, that it can’t get into…?”
The shadow watched them for a long moment, seething and gritting it’s would be teeth. It then quietly slipped back outside through the crack under the door.
The moonlight was bright, illuminating the darkened streets despite the loss of lights caused by the shadows darkness.The closer to All Hallows Eve it grew the bigger the shadows reach seems to get. It slithered up the side of the house, shadows slowly extending, engulfing, overtaking.
Soon The structure had completely been engulfed by writhing bubbling shadow, blocking out even the light from the moon and trapping the two inside. The mist filling the house growing with it; going from a minor itch to a painful irritation of the throat and lungs.
“There’s no room that would be adequate in terms of that sort of security, I’m afraid,” Hakuba muttered in response, refusing to let go of Kaito for the moment. The skin on his neck ached with that burning, but staying close seemed more important. And Kaito was offering details. Concrete facts that he could focus on, work with. He caught a little more of his breath, then turned his head toward the east wing, eyes narrowing in thought.
“However… the kitchen will have fire. The stove is gas. The are matches. Flambe torches. Flammable cooking sprays. Candle lighters. Charcoal. Lighter fluid. It might not be enough, but…"
His voice trailed off as the light in the reception area of the mansion faded. Glancing at the glass panes, thin curtains more a bane then than ever, he sucked in a breath and swallowed hard. Which hurt, both inside and out. Then he pushed, struggling to get to a stand while attempting to drag Kaito with him.
”…we’ll set the estate on fire if we have to.“
“Assist—? Oh, uh, well…” Honestly, it hadn’t even struck him to ask the detective for help, and he glanced around the kitchen, trying to figure out what else they might need that Hakuba could assist with. “I guess you could…go get a fork and knife, if you want any?”
He set the plates down on the table, shortly followed by the glasses.
“I don’t think there’s much else to do though, except pretty much carry it all into the living room,” Kaito said simply and shot the blonde a grin as he swiftly opened the cartons, grabbed a few pizza slices and set them on his own plate.
“Fork and knife…” Hakuba frowned at this, tilting his head. “I can eat pizza with my hands. I’m not that particular.” Or was he? He surveyed the slices that Kaito took for himself, eyes narrowing as he considered. But it didn’t look too particularly greasy, and he’d only resorted to knife and fork when it had been more of a deep-dish, lasagna style pizza. Was he expected to eat with a knife and fork? Was that normal?
Really, interaction with anyone was difficult. Why had he thought that barging in, post-heist, was a good idea? Yes he wanted to make the rotten thief’s life more miserable, but at the same time he really, really didn’t.
And there was rootbeer.
In the end, Hakuba followed Kaito’s cue and took a plate, two slices of the appropriate size, and then eyed the soda with a suspicious glance.
“Do you like it? Rootbeer, I mean.”
So it seemed he hadn’t. It was a little disappointing – as well as a slight relief at the same time – but he supposed those little messages had been rather vague, despite their simplicity, compared to the notes and gifts. Especially if one didn’t know what to look for or how to read them.
Perhaps he should give Hakuba a hint before he left.
“Stalking?” A light, playful hum left his lips and he grinned, head tilting to the side as a glint of something settled in his eyes. “Oh, I wouldn’t call it that, exactly. I was merely keeping an eye on you. That’s all. Though, really…”
Smile fading slightly, he continued; “You need to take better care of yourself, detective.”
“That’s what I’ve heard. But, honestly, how am I to keep up in such a competitive field of I don’t work as hard as I possibly can?” Hakuba, momentarily distracted from the very important previous discussion, watched the thief with a genuinely serious expression.
“I know that health is important and all that, but what’s the difference of a few hours of missing sleep here, or a missed meal or two there?"
Of course, as he said it, Hakuba realized just how silly it sounded. He turned his head to the side, making more of an embarrassed pout than anything.
"Right, well, point taken. The thesis statement of your messages combined seems rather clear, now. Unless you’ve anything to add?”
“Hakuba!”
This was a nightmare. It had to be. There was no other way to explain it – not the shadow, not the way Hakuba’s hand had just gone through his throat like it wasn’t even there – and Kaito just wanted to wake up, to have the horrified panic and pure fear pulsing through him wash away in place of hope and relieved laughter.
He wanted to pinch himself, but he knew it wouldn’t break this nightmarish reality, no matter how much he wanted and needed it to. Why was this happening?
Moving as quickly as his body allowed him to, he grabbed for one of the remaining fireworks, lit it up, then threw himself towards the shadow’s visible limbs, shoving the burning wick into the bubbling mass of darkness. He didn’t know if it would be enough to get rid of the damn thing entirely – actually, previous tries had proven that it wouldn’t be enough, no matter how much he hoped for it to be – but, hopefully, it would be enough to make the damn thing let go of the detective.
A nightmare.
A nightmare he brought here.
He never should have opened that damn box.
The shadow grasped tightly around the blonde’s neck, the look of fear and panic feeding its lust. The desire to strangle the very life slowly and painfully out of the victim in its grasp.
Then there was a loud shriek, the sudden light of the fireworks that had escaped its notice before burned the shadowy mass and melted it away as it growled and hissed; retreating into the darkness of a nearby shadow and disappearing from their field of vision. Though is dark presence still lingered, filling the room with a sickening atmosphere.
Slowly the room started to fill with a dark but thin mist, seeping into the furniture and hanging in the air like an almost unseeable smog.
In the wake of fiery pain and the terrifying inability to breathe, Hakuba did little but gasp when the shadowy hands were finally removed. At least for four or five seconds, eyes wide and staring at the ceiling overhead. The moment that his mind processed that he could, again, successfully pull oxygen into his lungs, he scrambled to sit up and throw himself at Kaito, arms reaching to wrap around his shoulders in a panic.
“What-” gasp “-the bloody-” wheeze “-fucking HELL?!”
He saw the marks on Kaito’s neck, the matching set on his own throat still stinging from the attack. It struck him, then, that as much as he wanted to bury his face against the other boy’s shoulder, whatever that thing had been was probably still lurking. He turned his head, eyes wide again, searching the area immediately around them, chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. Alas, his vision clouded as the dark dog settled in.
Mun’s Theories:
who cooks normally?: Hakuba wants to cook all of the things for Kaito. So unless Kaito says otherwise, Hakuba will.
how often do they fight?: The banter will probably never stop, but I imagine it turns from empty, teasing insults to shameless flirting fairly quickly. The stuff they do fight about, though, is usually about life and death situations, being worried about each other, keeping secrets… and that stuff is painful. Fortunately, they’re probably good about not talking about it (even though that would help things).
what do they do when they’re away from each other?: Maintain their separate interests and hobbies… but I can see Hakuba becoming an excessive texter if Kaito will humor him and text back.
nicknames for each other?: HMMM… I know I had a nickname for him written down somewhere before… but hmmm… I keep wanting to say ‘Pan’ as in ‘Peter Pan’ for Kaito, which would make Hakuba ‘Wendy.’ I wonder…
who is more likely to pay for dinner?: Hakuba prefers to and Kaito allows it as long as he’s able to make a joke about forcing Hakuba to or stealing his card or something, and Hakuba enjoys that.
who steals the covers at night?: Kaito. Definitely Kaito.
what would they get each other for gifts?: Books. Chocolate.
who remembers things?: Hakuba. And then doesn’t remind Kaito to see if he’ll remember anniversaries and the like. And then gets pouty if it seems like it’s been forgotten.
who cusses more?: It’s about equal.
what would they do if the other one was hurt?: EXCESSIVE FRETTING! Calm while giving medical care. Lots of pampering.
who kissed who first?: I think it was Hakuba kissing Kaito first, by Kaito’s dare/request.
who made the first move?: Oh goodness. This is the big question, isn’t it? Oh ho~ Hakuba’s not likely do do something unless he is 84% certain that it will be well-received and is desired. But if he gets that idea, it’ll be he that does it. Otherwise, Kaito will have to take charge. … … oh wait this is pretending this has already happened. Uh. Let’s say that Kaito got frustrated by Hakuba not doing anything and made said move.
who started the relationship?: Hakuba. Nervous and shy and fretting tried to put on his bravest, suavest face and then…!
Hakuba’s Thoughts:
“I’m really rather fond of him…"
He shook his head, breathing through his nose as he tried to push the nausea down, away, because throwing up – again – was not on the list of things he wanted to do right now. He didn’t have time for it. Not when—
Eyes once more snapping open, he quickly scanned the area, gaze carefully darting over the floor, the walls, and every visible object and surface. Movement in the corner of his eye made the magician’s breath catch in his throat, but when he turned his head to look, there was nothing there. Imagination? Possibly. But then again, maybe not.
“N-no, no ambulance, I—” Kaito swallowed, attention returning to Hakuba. It hurt to speak and he was still feeling disoriented and dizzy – more so than he was comfortable with – but he still managed a small grin, forcing any hints of pain away as he pushed himself up to a sitting position. “I’m fine. I just had a bit of an accident with a…a new trick. Sorry for worrying you.”
Alright. Maybe he was more out of it than he thought.
For a moment, Hakuba’s hand had looked almost transparent. But that, if anything, had to be his imagination. Right?
The terror on the thief’s face was enough to move the shadow into action once again. Lusting for more screams of agony it closes upon the two, quietly snaking behind the blonde. More memories surfaced, more desire to see the horror on it’s target, more hunger.
The shadow coiled the half brit’s leg, silently and barely visible it moved upward. Then shadowy hands materialize around its victim’s neck, repeating the same burning sensation it had with the other. Bubbling darkness burning like acid over skin and it drags him to the floor; choking him of the oxygen he needed to breathe.
Hakuba sat back at Kaito’s reassurance, though he was utterly unconvinced. Looking over the other boy again, the foreign detective frowned and sighed, watching him sit up straight. That was certainly better than before, he reasoned, so he couldn’t have been that badly off, right?
Still yet unaware of the creeping shadow that moved up his leg and body, Hakuba cracked a smile of his own, brow raising to give him a quizzical appearance, as if he were preparing to give the thief a lecture.
“It’s nothing, really… I’m, ah, honored that you thought to come to me.” The admission came with a bit of a creeping blush and a small, shy smile. “Are you certain that you’re all right? You know, I’ve heard that practicing new magic tricks on your own is a good way to get ki-”
The words cut off abruptly with a strangled cry of surprise and pain. “Wh-what is-?!” Hands reached for his throat to pull of whatever had him, but while his right hand recoiled immediately from the burning, his left hand went right through his throat.
He barely had time to process this before he was forced backward, tumbling from his position on the floor to press with back against the hard, polished marble with a smack. With the wind already knocked out of him from the fall, the choking quickly filled him with fiery panic. All attempts to pry the hands from himself were met, again, with nothing but frustration and blistering heat.
It’s dark.
No sound. Nothing to see. And no pain.
Wait.
Why would he be in—
…Oh.
Slowly, fragmented pieces of memories flooded back into his mind – a kiss to the back of his hand, a much too familiar smirk, roses, and then glowing red eyes, burning flesh, can’t breathe, can’t move, overwhelming nausea, thorns, pain—
The touch against his abused throat sent a sharp stab of pain through Kaito’s body and that was all it took to make his eyes snap open again with a sharp gasp, gaze wildly darting around, hazy, unfocused, terrified, before settling on the familiar blonde above him.
He stared.
“Ha—“ A wave of nausea forced him to stop, a shaky hand clamping over his mouth as he rolled onto his side, gagging, eyes clenching shut and teeth biting down on his tongue in an attempt to stop himself from throwing up all over the detective’s floor.
H-how had he—
No, no, no, Hakuba wasn’t supposed to be, couldn’t be—
What if that shadow, that thing, was still…
What if it went after Hakuba too?!
The shadow waited and watched. Eying it’s target as he was lifted into the house and the door was locked. As soon as the two were out of sight the shadow let out a raspy chuckle and slipped under the door, fading into the shadows of the house and moving about silently across the floor and up the walls.
The new party that had intervened intrigued it, something within the memories pulled from the thief was the familiarity of this other person. It fueled the shadow more as it lingered around the two; for once interested in a second target brought on by the desire to engorge itself on more suffering.
Yet for the moment it waited….and watched.
Unaware of the danger and true nature of the panic, the detective settled down on the floor next to Kaito, watching cautiously as he stirred.
"Shh, Kuroba-kun, it’s all right.” Since there was, in fact, a pulse – handy, since he was conscious again, Hakuba moved his hand to the other boy’s shoulder and ran his palm over it. “You’re safe now. I’ve got you. What happened? Shall I call for an ambulance?"
The pain and fear being displayed by the illustrious phantom thief was not something that Hakuba was used to. It scared him, in fact. More than his faintly transparent left hand that had at least maintained corporeal qualities for the time being. He just hoped that Kaito wouldn’t notice.
He’s not going to last, he knows that, the darkness smoothly, swiftly, spreading across his vision making that all the more obvious. But he can’t stop. Stopping means getting killed and he rather likes living, thank you, but—
The world is tilting. Or perhaps it’s just him. He’s not entirely sure at this point.
Safe, safe, safe, have to get someplace safe.
Kaito turns, suddenly, mustering up the last of his strength to sprint into one of the yards belonging to— to someone, up the driveway and towards the front door – the house looks so familiar, why does it look so familiar, is it another mind trick, why – as fast as his legs can carry him. But then they’re buckling beneath him and he lets out a hoarse yelp, fingers just barely having enough time to curl around the door’s handle in an attempt to catch himself – but it’s no use, he can’t see, can’t hear, can’t feel, oh, but at least that’s a relief and—
And then his mind and body shuts down and he collapses below the front door.
It’s prey has stopped moving, his slowing heart beat is like music to the shadow. It rears up again, following up the driveway slowly, enjoying every second. It’s target is so close within it’s reach so close- Wait, no, there is another smell approaching. The shadow backs off again retreating to a nearby patch of darkness to observe and reconsider it’s strategy.
“Yes, I heard it Baaya… no, no; I’ll see what it is, first… not to fret. It’s probably just like the last one…” The young detective shifted the cell phone to his other ear and shoulder, freeing his hands so that he could set the baseball bat in the indent of floor-to-ceiling glass near the door. He pushed the white curtain aside and peeked out into the dark, frown fixed on his face. A body, yes, crumpled against the door. Drunk, most likely. Or attacked…?
Keeping close to that side of the door, he unlocked the chain, the normal lock, and the deadbolt, before pulling the door inward slowly, letting the unconscious form slip onto the polished marble gently.
“Hello, sir…?” Hakuba asked, staring downward. Then he paused. Was that…? No, it couldn’t be. But it was. Kuroba-kun! ”Baaya, I’m going to have to call you back.”
Brows furrowed, he glanced back out to the yard, narrowed eyes scanning the terrain. He couldn’t see anyone, but that didn’t necessarily mean…
He crouched down and slipped one hand under each arm, jaw set tight as he pulled Kaito into the formal reception area. There he left him, just long enough to return to the door, pushing it closed. Then came the locks: regular, deadbolt, chain. Once the house was secured, he go back down to the floor, kneeling as he rolled Kaito onto his back and went about checking vitals.
Fingers on his throat to feel for a pulse, he watched his face, professional training keeping him calm and productive for the time being. “Kuroba-kun? Are you all right? Can you hear me?”
