Ah, the shopping district of Shibuya – the perfect place for some retail therapy. Hakuba, the prestigious and famous foreign high school detective, left his car in the parking garage and stepped into the large mall with a deep, happy sigh. It was the weekend, he’d finished all of his homework, his case files, and his chores, and there was nothing else left to get between himself and a brand new tie.
Or so he thinks…
This is the stupidest idea he has e v e r had. Hemophiliac flying down the road on a bicycle way too tall for him please step aside.
“L-look out!!”
Basil tries to brake to avoid hitting the stranger but the bike fails him, only managing to lessen the blow slightly as he closes his eyes and squeaks in anticipation.
It was not a pleasant way to finish up the morning’s work. Hakuba had just set his briefcase in the trunk of the car and stepped around to make his way to the driver’s seat when the warning call reached him. He looked up, blinking, only heartbeats before impact. The detective was thrown one way, dashed half against concrete, half against asphalt, and left dazed and tumbled.
And the other… Hakuba grimaced, groaning out a sign that he was still alive, looking for the bike and its rider, though most of what he saw was the dirty underside of his car just a foot away. Strangely, he couldn’t seem pick himself up to continue his search. Was he… pinned?
The dove nipped at the offending finger and walked back and forth on the pillow squawking and screeching ever slightly louder.
The detective rolled his eyes, shifting his hand back out of the way underneath the pile to carry it, and the bird, from the room and to the stairs. “Well, then, you’ll be a spoiled prince upon a velvet pillow, carried by a loyal servant to the king, now, won’t you~?” Hakuba asked, teasing the dove. “Don’t fall off, now.”
Shiori fluttered rapidly before floating down to Hakuba squawking. Landing on the pillows he nibbled at the cloth then went for the fingers. Squawking loudly again the small bird gave him it version of a glare.
Hakuba halted in his step to let the bird posture, raising a brow at its antics. “Well, now, aren’t you territorial? And, god, so very cute.” He chuckled, shaking his head as he carefully shifted the blankets and pillows to free a hand, which he brought to Shiori, finger out like a perch. “Will you step up for me?”
The perfect way to describe walking into Kaito’s bedroom was: organized chaos. An old desk was shoved into the right corner and was covered in files, research books, a sleek black desktop, a thin silver laptop, jars filled with gears, tiny screws, tiny rods and other miscellaneous hard wear, tools, gloves, decks of cards of different types, styles and sizes, and the occasional piece of jewlery.
Next to the desk was the bed or what was supposed to be a bed it was more like a mound of pillow and blankets that was pushed up against under the open window. At the foot of the bed was an open burgundy trunk filled with props, more files, books, more gloves, more tools. A tall full length mirror was shoved into the corner behind crates and boxes. A dresser and tall standing floor lamp was pushed up against the left wall by the door. Posters and picture littered the walls in a strange collage of his favorite bands and his life.
A full portrait of Kuroba Toichi marked the only thing on the left wall.
Shiori chirped loudly from the ceiling fan and watched Hakuba intently.
It was fascinating. Every inch Kuroba Kaito. Hakuba wanted to take his time exploring it, touching and studying, really learning who Kaito was… but it was becoming very late. He glanced at his pocket watch, then wrist watch, and gave a small moan. It was almost five in the morning; no wonder he was so exhausted.
He went to the blanket nest and pulled two pillows from the pile, along with a larger blanket near the top, dragging it backward to get it out from the tangled mess. The bird call got his attention, though, and Hakuba glanced up to offer a nod in greeting. “Hullo, there… don’t mind me; just borrowing some beddage for your master.”
Gathering it all up in his arms, he made his way back toward the hallway, hoping that Shiori wasn’t as pillow hungry as he’d been led to believe…
He nodded. “Bedroom. Upstairs first door to the left. Be careful Shiori might be in there, he tends to hog pillows.”
He yawned and stretched out like a cat in one long move that brought his arms over his head and shifted the shirt up slightly. Shiori was a male Diamond dove and temperamental at best Kaito only used him for comedy cause he always did what he wanted. It caused some pretty good scenes when done right.
“I’ll be sure to watch out for that…” Hakuba said, a little distracted as he watched the other teen stretch on the couch. It took him a couple of seconds to remember what he was doing, and he pulled away with a hard swallow, chiding himself for looking a little too long. Yes, he was tired, and yes, he was a little inebriated, but it was no excuse.
Up the stairs he went, following the directions to the aforementioned bedroom. The pathway was littered with dangerous temptation – so much to see and explore! – but he did his best to ignore it in favor of, hopefully, getting some sleep soon. That didn’t stop him from looking around the bedroom – KUROBA KAITO/KAITOU KID’S BEDROOM! – as he quietly padded barefoot to the bed, watching out for the foretold Shiori as he went for the pillows. Two would be sufficient, wouldn’t they?
Ai had been yelling at Agasa again for sneaking sweets into his laboratory so he could eat them while working. She noticed the lack of food inside the cupboards. She made a mental reminder to buy ingredients for stew later,
But for now she just needed to go on a walk,
She had ensured that ‘Agasa’s Secret Stash’ was hidden where he couldn’t find it…for now. She let out a huff as she got outside the gate.
She looked left and right, you never know when someone is just going to pop out of nowhere. But instead of Gin, Vodka, Vermouth, she just saw a blonde man standing in front of the Kudou Residence. She walked up to him,
“Oh, if you’re looking for Kudou-kun he’s out on a case.” She said in her usual monotone voice.
The little voice caught Hakuba’s attention, drawing him out of his concentrated train of thought. “Ah- what? Pardon?” Blinking, he glanced down at her and hesitated for approximately 2.333- seconds before his mouth broke out into a wide and pleasant smile.
“Oh! You’re Haibara Ai, aren’t you? One of the infamous Detective Boys. You’re staying with Agasa-Hakase, if I’m not mistaken…” He then bowed, formal and polite. “A pleasure to finally meet you in person. I’m Hakuba Saguru, a detective not unlike Kudou-kun himself.”
He had laid down and was starting to get comfortable when Hakuba spoke to him again. His head lolled up and he gave him a sleepy smile. The offer was so tempting not because it would put him into his bed but because it put in Hakuba’s arms briefly.
“I … I think I’d better stay down here, thank you though." He tried to keep the dejection out of his voice when he spoke and sort of succeeded.
Hakuba looked him over, then glanced toward the stairs, contemplating. "If you’re certain…” he said, though he didn’t sound at all convinced. “It really wouldn’t be any trouble, and I need to go upstairs, anyway, if I’m to use a guest room… I don’t think that I trust myself driving in this state.”
Really, he shouldn’t have been driving at all that night, but he had a difficult time listening to his conscience when in situations rife with anxiety.
“Or… at least let me help you get a little more comfortable. Do you have a blanket or pillow I can fetch for you?”
He paused on the top step just a few above the other and looked back at him. It touched him that Hakuba wanted to help; had some how always wanted to help him. It dawn on him the earlier comment:
“I wouldn’t ignore a cry for help, Kuroba-kun… just who do you think that I am, anyway?”
Yes, it did include those he helped but …it included him. It included him. Just maybe there was some thing mutual. Moving on pure emotions he took one step down, leaned over and pressed his lips to the detective cheek just under the corner of his eye.
Lifting he walked back up the step to go, finally get to his spot on the couch.
Wh-
The detective froze again when Kuroba leaned close, refusing to move backward, but not meeting him, either. And as much as he wanted to wince because he didn’t know what was coming, he couldn’t look away. Then there it was – a simple, sweet gesture that left Hakuba red in the face all over again and speechless once more.
He stood there for a few seconds after Kaito left, attempting to sort out the muddled thoughts in his head, but came up with nothing. Just the reminder that Kuroba was drunk, that things had been stressful, and that there was the high possibility that Kaito wouldn’t remember anything the next morning.
So he followed, coming to a halt near the couch with an expression of concern. “Are you all right here on the couch? Can I help you upstairs? I… ah, I could carry you, if you like. It wouldn’t be a problem…”
“You don’t have to look so horrified ….I just ….” He started as the shocked expression came across Hakuba’s face then shook his head. The was no point in saying what he wanted to say. What he had been wanting to say for a while now. Hakuba wouldn’t understand nor accept it. He was still human and needed people but his need for Hakuba seemed to be so much stronger than what he had ever felt before. The other balanced him out and provided a great foundation for him. Hakuba kept him from slipping so many times before with just the little acts of persistence.
Kaito sighed and started to head back up stairs with his hand on the railing to take his weight off his thigh which was starting to throb painfully. “Come on up and I’ll show you the way.
Horrified? Had he looked horrified? It wasn’t what Hakuba had intended, but he supposed he could imagine. Grimacing at his own foolishness, he followed up the stairs without comment – at least for the first few steps. But once Kaito was on the main level, he hefted a sigh.
“Kuroba-kun… I’m sorry; I didn’t mean for you to think that I felt burdened or anything. Honestly, I… I’m touched that you called me. That you asked for my help.” He continued up, holding onto the handrail to support his fatigued body. “It means a great deal to me. I… I always hoped I’d be of service to you one day…"
