Catching Up With Fate

kuroba-k:

Kaito hadn’t expected a reaction to his condolences. He was well aware that some people preferred not to talk about it. He himself had kept it that way for a very, very long time. So he moved on as well, without trying to pry any further information about the woman out of the blonde. He reacted again on the note of the tunnel vision and nodded.
“It’s not unusual for people to underestimate their own injuries. The adrenaline and panik in situations as such surpress the pain. Nature’s way of ‘better worse off than all dead’.”

He then scribbled down a few things Hakuba used to describe the pain as well as the fact he couldn’t put much weight on it, the stiff feeling and finally he also scribbled a note along the frame to reread the files from the previous therapy. Mainly to avoid the same techniques if they didn’t help. He lightly frowned at the words that it apparently got even worse. But he showed no sign of disbelief, it rather made him curious what could have lead to that.
PAIN MANAGEMENT he wrote down in capital letters at the bottom frame of the sheet, then he looked up again grinning right back. “I could imagine KID would be considerate enough not to overexert you.” Then he laughed. “That would be a heist I’d love to see. I haven’t been to any in a while.”
“But on with this for now, I’d like to talk about the pain a little more detailed.” And with that the questions became a little less open. Showing Hakuba the body chart as well, he made sure to draw in every injury he had and especially still felt, asking for older ones, too. Then he reached for details such as how the pain would feel, how close to the surface or deep it was, if it was constant or movement related or both and how severe he would rate each painful spot and if they showed any relation to each other. He’d also ask which activities Hakuba tried to decrease the pain, which worked and when it would increase, how it changed throughout the day and the week and he let Hakuba repeat which medication he really took and how regularly. During all this Kaito kept writing it down in short notes, abbreviations and symbols.

Finally though, he turned the sheet back over. “Alright, that has been a lot of technical information now. Let’s ease it off with a bit social talk again. Have you still been doing Judo or have you been into any other hobbies that might have been stopped or gotten difficult due to the injury?”

It was difficult to answer the questions as vaguely as it seemed required. Hakuba wanted to give specific answers with a statistical analysis, but he simply didn’t have the data. So much had happened in such a short period of time that he felt fairly helpless as he supplied what information he could: It ached, the pain radiated, he could feel it all the way up and down his leg, into his hip. Despite his knee not actually sustaining direct injury, he had difficulty bending or flexing it, and it felt an awful lot like the kneecap, he thought, were being pulled apart from the inside out. 

He pointed out his other points of injury on the chart, as well. Cracked ribs that had more or less healed, but still hurt from time to time; a small concussion at his temple that had only left a faint mark. Bruises here and there, road rash on his back, on his opposite thigh. 

“Judo?” Hakuba asked, smirking at Kaito with a tilt of his head. “God, I’ve never been good at martial arts, no. I always did fencing, jogging, tennis… that sort of thing. But I can’t do any of that now, no.” He laughed, shifting a little on the table as if just talking about it were making the pain worse. “I mostly hobble around on these crutches and sit in a recliner to work… So, everything has become more difficult.”

Then he hesitated, wondering if he should bring up the other factor, biting his lip. It would come out eventually, wouldn’t it? No. Not yet. He went back to KID instead of the kid. “I certainly hope Kaitou-san plays nicely… though I sincerely doubt I’ll be able to attend any heists any time soon. Can you just imagine…? Crutches and all… god, it would be so ridiculous.”

The Meaning of the Monocle

smokebombsandmirrors:

Because he wanted to hold his hand and because Hakuba was still nervous around him Kaito stuffed his hands into his pockets. At the others words he found himself whipping his head around to look at him. What was that supposed to mean? Did he want to wait before they …. He messed up again and now Hakuba was apologizing for nothing. Refraining from tearing his hand into his bangs and degrading himself he kept uncharacteristically quiet. 

The silence was a bad sign, and Hakuba frowned, finally glancing at him. “Ah…” But what could he say to fix it? Which specific thing, of the very long list of wrongs he’d done that night, was Kuroba upset about now? 

Heaving a sigh, Hakuba turned back to look ahead again, his own hands finding their way into his pockets. Miserable, guilty, ashamed, feeling chided in the wake of the lack of response. 

Things had been better just before Baaya had interrupted. Dangerous, but better. He didn’t know how to feel or what to do and that, in and of itself, was frustrating enough, but to have Kuroba wrapped up in it and all of the stress from everything else… god he wanted that wine. Alcohol always made things a little bit easier to deal with. 

He fumbled with his keys, pulling them from his pocket once they got to the door. Two locks later, he looked back at Kaito, then gestured for him to go in first. “After you." 

The Meaning of the Monocle

smokebombsandmirrors:

Kaito managed to look up at him when he walked in. The physical blow he felt when he saw him took his breath and voice away. Nothing was going to be the same for him. He couldn’t hear what Hakuba had said just walked over to him quickly. 

“I’ll come with you.”

He had to get out of that room. He needed to be near Hakuba again and try to figure out what he was going to do where exactly they stood in this.

Hakuba had expected to hurry and come right back, but having Kaito suddenly with him disoriented him all over again. “Ah, if… if you’d really like to,” he said, stumbling in his step as he made room the other in the hallway, though it was unnecessary, and started back down the hall.

Why did he have to blush so much? Really, was there any sort of evolutionary advantage to displaying embarrassment or anger in such a visible way? Perhaps it had something to do with posturing… or showing vulnerability to appeal to others’ more tender emotions? Humility, leading to trustworthiness? He wasn’t certain, but he didn’t like it. At all. Curse his damned British half.

“I’m sorry things haven’t gone exactly the way I’d intended… here, I’d wanted a chance for us to relax and talk a little more… perhaps get to know each other on the level, but, ah, all I’ve done so far is upset you.”  

He couldn’t bring himself to look at him while he spoke, simply walking with gaze focused straight ahead. 

The Meaning of the Monocle

smokebombsandmirrors:

When Baaya had left Kaito eased off the charm a bit. The smile fell just slightly and he did a quick glance around the room. Not much had change since the last time he was here. The parlor was grand in its self but he felt out of place there. Surrounded by money and power … and with out Hakuba. He had kissed him and wanted to do it again. He covered his mouth a thin scarred hand.

Why was it Hakuba who made everything he had ever planed for fly right out the window? His ability to keep a Poker Face on him had been lost in the beginning of the night. So much had happened in a very short span of time. They both confessed to liking each other and Hakuba had let him in his room. Let him in willingly into that private area.

Crossing to the window he stared out it to the grounds. When he was here, disguised as a servant he had gotten to see quite a bit of the Hakuba estate save for Hakuba bedroom. Not that wasn’t allowed in. He just couldn’t intrude like that.

He thought back to the nights after Nightmare and the heists that were screwy. How many time had he found himself outside Hakuba’s window or in the tree closet to it just watching the detective, wanting so badly to open the window and have a long much needed talk about everything or just to simply appreciate the calming silence around the other? Then again if he had tried that he probably would have gotten kicked out or arrested.He sighed and rested his steadily throbbing head against the cool clear glass.

So they liked each other now what? What should he do now? For the first time in a long time Kaito found himself hopelessly lost in looking towards his future.

If only Kaito had known just how many times Hakuba had stayed up late, wishing that KID would come to visit him… 

The detective hesitated before poking his head into the room, finding Kuroba before stepping in. “Apologies,” he said at first, giving an awkward sort of bow out of habit. “…I didn’t mean to take so long. So, ah, a movie.. with the cake and the wine, yes?" 

He paused.

”…You do have the wine on you, don’t you…?“ 

But Hakuba already knew the answer to that question; it was back in the room on the table. Shoulders sagging, he turned around. ”…I’ll… I’ll be right back, Kuroba-kun.“

A History of Perfect Mistakes

meitantei-cowlick:

She didn’t know why he was feeling guilty, there was no reason for it what so ever. Yes he may have been the one to suggest the wine but she could have easily said no. In fact she usually did. Mostly because she liked to keep her wits about her and didn’t know what alcohol of any sort did to her (though she knew now, sort of). Apparently a glass and a half and she was drunk.

How embarrassing. 

With her inhibitions impaired it had been so easy to not try and dodge his flirting with her as she usually did. Had no fear of returning similar actions. It was like letting him in a bit on the secret she was afraid for him to know. But after last night surely he had to have some idea. So… where did that leave them?

Keeping herself semi-curled where she was crouched, Shinori glanced to him and nodded. He’d seen all of her last night but being sober made her a little self conscious about being completely bare in front of him. Glancing to the robe, she nodded and gave him a small smile. 

“I appreciate that, thank you Hakuba." 

"Of course." 

Hakuba stood and went to the cupboard again, digging through the various medical supplies for the bottle of aspirin that he had in there somewhere. What was he doing? How had he managed to get so awkward? It wasn’t as if he hadn’t slept with someone before, god no, but this was Kudou, and… 

He sighed, pulling out the bottle to measure out two or three pills, chancing a glance back at her hesitantly. Was he allowed to look? Was he allowed to… appreciate? They were both adults. Colleagues, classmates, friends. And now this. He bit his lip. "Kudou-kun… Last night…" 

Now was not the time to be a coward, but he couldn’t help the anxiety that gnawed at him. Always gnawed at him. Why had he been so quick to get dressed? Was he putting up a wall? 

Was he simply overthinking things, as usual?

"You’re… you’re all right, aren’t you? Aside from the hangover, I mean. I didn’t… hurt you, did I?" 

Bloody Moriarty

thelotusflowerfiles:

He noticed the dog first and nearly knelt down with boyish delight to play with it. The cane was next, then finally Hakuba’s face. He remembered him from the minor amount of cases they worked on together from his days as Conan and the background research he had done when the detective had first contacted him.

Standing he slipped off the glasses and tossed them onto the papers, and extended a hand out to him. “Hakuba Saguru?”

Twig looked between the two people, ears perked, tail up, then sat back on her haunches when Hakuba shifted her leash to his other hand so he could take Shinichi’s. It was polite to sit while the master was doing his greetings, after all, and since they were in a building, she had to be on her best behavior. 

“Yes, a pleasure to formally meet you at last, Kudou-san.” Hakuba gave a firm handshake, smile warm and confident. So far, so good. “Thank you for agreeing to meet with me. Ah, I hope you don’t mind… I’ve brought Twig along with me today." 

Taking his hand back, he gestured down to the corgi, then looked back at the detective. "She won’t be any trouble, I assure you." 

The dog looked up at Hakuba as if she understood him, mouth opening to pant and smile, tail swishing on the floor.

The Meaning of the Monocle

smokebombsandmirrors:

“Ah, Yes, please.” He blushed. Hakuba had talked about him to his mother. He stopped and had to think about it. He, Hakuba could have been complaining about him. Gods knows that he did the same with his mother. He released Baaya, placed his hands into his pockets and shifted from one foot to the other. Kaito found himself a little too excited and pleased yet so nervous and scared. He hope not too much of that showed though.

“Wonderful.” It was difficult for Baaya to be anything but amused about the entire situation. These two boys, barely out of their teenage years, so focused on being serious and career-minded, but still so tender. For all of their experiences – and she could tell that Kuroba had had his share – they were still so young in this world. “You make yourself at home, dear, and I’ll be right back." 

She left the room and glanced down the hallway again, smirking at Hakuba as he reluctantly approached.  "Your guest is waiting for you. I’ll be right back with the cake.”

“Thank you, Baaya…”  Hakuba said, taking his time to trudge over the polished floors, hands in his pockets. How was he supposed to face Kaito in the light of everything?

Gentlemen Prefer Brits

moonlightmajutsushi:

The thief chuckled some at the command.

image

“Implying that I’m somehow not a gentleman?”

He did comply, however, shifting to face away from the other. Not that he wouldn’t have turned anyway. After all, Kid was already a gentleman, so of course he would have been courteous enough to not look, right?

Right.

…Maybe.

Honestly, much as he liked to tease, Kid did try and stay within boundaries. Push them from time to time as needed and when he knew he could get away with the pushing, but this wasn’t the best situation to do that. Hakuba already felt awkward, and it really would be rude to purposefully heighten that feeling right now. Especially since he was the one who’d come uninvited and he didn’t know Hakuba well enough to be aware of how far the limits were.

Heck, the thief wasn’t even aware of all that he’d put up with himself, where the detective was involved, much less how far the other would tolerate… Teasing was normal, and the flirting, fun… and he did like the other teen well enough now, considering he’d calmed down quite a bit since the first time they’d met. He just… really wasn’t sure about much else at this point.

image

It was confusing for Hakuba, as well. But then, everything with the thief was. Once in the safety of his closet, the detective set to work finding a pair of boxer-briefs and sweats, which he slipped on quickly to hide the worst of his scars. He wasn’t sure how much Kid had seen, but hopefully there wouldn’t be any commentary on that.

The detective pulled a dress shirt down from a hanger and slipped it over his arms, wondering just how odd it might look to pair such with the sweats, but decided that he didn’t care as he went back out into the room to sit on the bed once more. He would be leaving the buttons open, anyway. 

"All right,” he said, pulling back the covers to get underneath them. “You’re allowed to turn around again. Thank you, you were quite the gentleman.”  Hakuba made sure that there was plenty of room left on the bed, settling down with a smirk. “Though I can’t imagine resting with that hat on. I assume that you insist on keeping it on, though?”

The Meaning of the Monocle

smokebombsandmirrors:

“My mother?” He asked.

He wasn’t expecting that. Hakuba’s mother knew his. That was surreal and slightly irritating. Why didn’t Hakuba say something? Why didn’t his mother? His brow scrunched in irritation slightly and he debated on calling her. Poker face perfectly in place he continued with Baaya’s answer.

“She’s doing wonderful, I think the last time I had heard from her she was in Prague studying fashion.”

“Oh, that sounds lovely,” Baaya said, not missing the tiny hint of surprise, leading Kaito into the parlor. “I’ll be sure to let the mistress know. The young master talks about you so much that she couldn’t help but be curious, though they haven’t seen each other in ages…”

The parlor was a large room with plush carpet, neutral wall tones, receded lighting, and very comfortable leather furniture in various shades of dark brown. It was very much a lounge, really; stocked wet bar in the back, card table and chairs nearby, billiards table between that and the couches, large flat screen tv, expensive sound system… But then, it was technically the Superintendent General’s den, so of course it had to be larger than life and of supreme quality.

“Shall I go fetch a plate of cake for you both?”

Catching Up With Fate

kuroba-k:

Kaito pretendet not to notice the awkwardness and instead gave off the impression that this was exactly what he expected Hakuba to do. He had a body model on his form and simply sketched in the part the detective had pointed at on himself. He put a little one next to it and circled a few lines of writing he already jotted down on the form before and wrote a small one next to that as well.

“I’m very sorry for your loss, Hakuba-san.” He said quietly after hearing that the detective was close to the victim. And he nodded with a small smile after hearing that the son was saved.

“Actually you may skip the whole medical diagnoses they told you. I’ve read them already. I’d rather want to know how you experienced it and how you felt. Because for my line of work the medical terms may be nice to know, but I don’t want to treat a diagnosis. I’m planning to treat you and help you to get back to daily business. Ailments don’t know what make you feel comfortable.”

“Ah, right…”  Hakuba didn’t want to thank him for the apology – didn’t even want to think about it – so he moved on. Every time he’d had to explain the situation, it brought up far too many vivid memories, and feeling that loss all over again wasn’t something that he wanted to do. Not ever, really, much less in front of his former classmate and rival.

Swallowing, he attempted to concentrate on the task at hand. “Well, ah, at the time of the injury I was really only thinking about the case. Tunnel vision, you know… we detectives are so predictable that way. I think I must have made it worse, though, by moving despite the injury, but it was necessary. Ah…”

He tried to remember what sort of relevant information he could provide, teeth gritting. “Pain, obviously. Surgery. Er, though, when it happened it was sort of like… well, the imagery I can come up with is like chopping wood, I suppose? Only, once you first get the axe in, you use dynamite to finish the job.”  Hakuba coughed. “I still can’t put any weight on it, and it aches quite often. Almost constantly, actually.”

Glancing back down at his leg, Hakuba made a face as if to chastise the injury, then heaved a helpless sigh. “Stiff, too. I followed the last therapist’s recommendations to the letter, I think, but it’s to the point where I can hardly sleep, and crutches are terribly inconvenient, and… I just… How am I supposed to chase Kaitou Kid like this?”

It was meant to be a joke to ease the tension, but even so, he couldn’t help the sly little grin and challenging glance at Kaito immediately after.