Tag Archives: thread

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The Neighborhood Watch || miyanohaibara

It’d been weeks since Hakuba had last paid a visit to the Kudou home; it was mostly because he’d been so busy, but also partly because he’d become so entirely discouraged with the investigation that it pained him. His colleague had been missing for months, and while there were whispers and rumors that he was still alive and well, he’d yet to find any concrete evidence himself.

All of this bothered him, of course. It was so like the media to ignore a missing detective who had once been their shining star simply because there hadn’t been a scandalous story reported along with it. As far as Hakuba was concerned, there was something very, seriously wrong, and the lack of attention on the matter pointed to a coverup. 

While that had waving red warning flags all over it, Hakuba found himself continuing the investigation in his spare time, which included making housecalls. Which is what he was doing that morning, parking his car in front of the house and approaching the gate with a sigh. It didn’t look like anyone was home – as usual – but as his phonecalls and letters had been ignored, he felt he had no choice.

It took very little effort to get through the gate, and he made his way to the door with a grim frown, ready to be disappointed yet again. 

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Split Decisions || blackorgkaito

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It was just another press conference for yet another CEO; someone who made their money by having been born into a family of privilege and ‘proper’ blood. Hakuba stood toward the back, eyeing the crowd with only the mildest of interest, stealing glances down at his mobile from time to time, hoping and praying that something would call his attention and give him an excuse to leave.

It wasn’t that it had been poorly planned – no, it was clear that there was adequate budget backing the event, it was just by far not the first that he’d attended, nor would it be the last. After a while, all of them began to feel the same, particularly as he was never quite invested in whatever product or venture the conference pushed for. This evening was no exception. 

Hakuba sighed, glancing up from the messageless phone to once again scan the sizeable audience for anything worth note. 

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Pride and Obligation

smokebombsandmirrors:

He didn’t know what it was. A light prickle came across his skin. As the task force leaped for him he launched his body up and over, barely tapped one of the cases with his foot and propelled behind the rookie. Sure enough the man leaned back and reached in an attempt to grabbed him. KID kept going and soon the man was sprawled flat on his back when he fell of the case.

KID skirted and slowly opened the case. The Lords crest was nestled in the velvet cushion and gently he reached in and lightly stroked the silver broach. The golden color moon stone was rare and not a lot of information was found on it but it was big. KID let it rest in his palm and calculated the weight.

“damn it KID!" 

It was the rookie again. He slid left and watched the young man slam into the display case and knocked the wind out of him. KID winced and ran towards the window with most of the task force behind him. Never stopping he walked up the window and flip over their head just in time to see them all slam into one another.

He actually managed to walk out calmly towards the roof this time. The prickly feeling he got was still there. It was like a live wire just barely floating above his skin. The roof was just as bare as the upper floors and dejection had a lovely little bite. Moving to the edge he smiled at the audience. The Task Force was make there way up he knew them well enough that they’ll be racing to get to him.

Going to turn away he quickly froze and looked again. There was … it couldn’t be… Kaito stared down at Hakuba. Shocked he stumbled back into the young rookie from before. Arms wrapped around his chest and nearly hoisted him off his feet. He grunted and used the backwards moment to flip over the TF member. 

"Hand over The Lord’s Crest, KID!”

He paused and took a really long look at him. “I think not and tell your boss to shove it.” 

He snapped his fingers and a very sudden loud scream shot into the sky. The massive explosions from the fire works banged over head and distracted the henchman long enough for KID the race towards the side and dive over.

There was a lightly different pop and he felt a sting over his thigh. Glancing over his shoulder he watched the idiot get tackeled to the ground and Nakamouri’s traditional string of colorful words. He glanced at Hakuba, expression neutral, then banked for home. 

Fireworks. A nice touch. Bit showy, but it made for a splendid diversion, and always went over well with the rabbling crowd. Hakuba leaned back, sighing as he watched the thief make his escape with the colorful backdrop, listening to the screaming fangirls and wild applause. 

It was no surprise to him that Kaitou Kid escaped; he always did. It didn’t matter if he was there, if Edogawa-kun was there, if some ridiculously violent European agent was there. Hakuba sighed, waiting until Kid was no longer within his line of sight before rolling off of his car and to his feet, slipping into the driver’s seat. 

After starting the car- and startling the milling crowd as they began to disperse -Hakuba fished out his cellphone and hesitated before typing out a text message, just on the off-chance that it might result in something, though he had no idea what.

To Kuroba Kaito: [text] Another victory, it seems. How many lucky artifacts do you take with you, anyway?

He knew that it would be a little while before Kuroba was likely to get it, so he put his phone away and began the long and irritating drive through traffic back home. 

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Pride and Obligation

smokebombsandmirrors:

The heist seemed way too easy now. Kaito watched the task force through the thin disguise. They were all packed in the gallery and listening to Nakamouri- keibu bark out orders. He smiled and thought well at least that never changes. Taking careful aim he shot a card towards another display case bottom. Two more were shot off and with timing being everything he fired the last one. It sunk into the glass top and cause Nakamouri to look at it closely. He pressed a small light weight trigger and the cards exploded revealing a heavy layer of sleeping gas. 

With his mask dawned KID whistled threw the staggering task force. Stepping up to Nakamouri he watched the last bit of smoke dissipate. His mask disappeared in a simple swipe of his arm and he grinned at the inspector. 

“Thank you, inspector. Now why don’t you lay down. Fighting it will only make you sick.” KID purred and waited for the man’s legs to buckle so he could get to the display case he was currently trying to protect.

“Get .. . him … any one…” Nakamouri stumbled and slowly slide to the floor.

There were still a god amount of the task force left that didn’t receive enough gas. They were wobbly and determined but they were also nervous to get near him. They knew his tricks and he knew theirs. A loud thunk caught his attention and to his surprise he watched a newbie drape himself over the case.

“Y-you’re not go-going to get this!”

KID blinked in shock at the bold statement.. “Really now?”

“Yes!”

As if the bold moves of the new guy lite a fire in the remaining task force KID let his grin never falter. The only counter measure was a simple act in standing onto the balls of his feet.

Tension held strong and they stared at each other. Finally someone shifted and there was royal chaos as the task tripped over each other and lunged for the thief. KID dodge and ducked and wove his way over and under people. Each one just a hairs breath from touching him. He laughed playfully and they suddenly found that they had all switched places with KID standing as if he had never moved.

A quiet collected thought passed through the minds of the Task force. ‘We have to do this together.’ KID shifted ever so slightly and waited for the lunge. They did and he smiled.

Hakuba kept the radio on as he drove, feeling almost nothing from the alcohol he’d had. It had been cheap; something Baaya had picked up for cooking, but it had seemed more appropriate than breaking into his scotch. At least pre-heist. It sounded like Kid’s activities were going well, as usual, and the Kaitou Kid Task Force was failing… also as usual. 

It really seemed to make little difference whether he was there or not. Nakamori-keibu never listened to him, anyway, and the incompetence of the team made it nearly impossible to get anything done regardless. 

He parked a little ways back from the crowd, watching it from his car as he considered, again, what the bloody hell he was even doing there. It all seemed pointless, now.  Once out of the car, he moved out in front and leaned on the hood, watching from the background. The fans did their usual screaming of excitement, just waiting for the thief’s grand exit, battling with the crowd control. 

Would Kid even notice that he’d shown up, even though he wasn’t really participating? Hakuba pushed back the shades he wore, slipping them up into his messy blond hair, rolling his shoulders back as he got comfortable in his casual lean.

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Pride and Obligation

How long had it been since Hakuba had left? Days? A week perhaps? He couldn’t remember. After he had pulled himself up off the floor and away from the faint muffled crying he had plunged himself into his equipment and heist preparations. The hang glider had been fixed and re-enforce in the joints to avoid another buckle. Standing on the roof he watched the commotion of the task force and his fans but he couldn’t feel their excitement and the normal rush he got. Instead he felt tired and distracted. Dangerous thing to be when starting a heist. All because there was some thing, well some one. 

The wind picked up and he glanced up at the sky; his white uniform a stark contrast against the inky sky whipped away from his body. It was time to start. He stepped off the roof and welcomed the noise.

—

And yet… despite the night’s event, there was no blond detective. No half-brit gentleman lurking about. Instead, he watched the live news report from the comfort of his bedroom, wine glass in one hand, monocle in the other. He’d been debating whether or not he should go all week, but as with everything else, had yet to come to a decision. And now he was drinking. 

It was only a fifteen minute drive from there, really… at least, with the way that Hakuba drove. He could still make it. He could still join the hunt, feel the thrill of the chase, and taste Kid’s enjoyment of it all. But then… … …

He looked down at the monocle again, rolling it between his fingers in the firelight. Should he go…? Kuroba had seemed so disappointed when he’d stated that his priorities had changed. Did it matter? 

Sighing, Hakuba pushed up from his comfortable chair and drained the last of his glass, stepping over to sweep the suit jacket from the back of his chair. The monocle he slipped into the grandfather clock over the fireplace, right over the face, and closed the glass cabinet front. It would be safe there. Then, with a last look at the television, Kid’s cape caught in a glorious gust of wind, he began a reluctant walk from bedroom, down the hall, into the garage, and out to his car. 

He supposed that he was just a dog, after all… and dogs needed work to be happy. 

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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. 

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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?”

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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.

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Sherlock knocked promptly on the door in front of him. According to his research this was where the young detective lived. “I need to stay here for a short time. You understand this sort of thing and the reasons so surely it must be fine.”

“M-Mr. Holmes!" 

Hakuba stared at the man on the other side of the door, blinking in surprise. He hadn’t expected to see him again for quite some time, let alone right at his doorstep. Presently, his mind worked through the request and a bit of color came to his face. Sherlock Holmes wanted to stay with him? He glanced over his shoulder and into the mansion for a moment, empty and quiet except for the occasional staff member milling about, doing their work. 

Well, it wasn’t as if they didn’t have the accommodations. 

He swallowed, turning back to his idol and nodded, forcing a brave smile. It was his duty to be a good host. 

"Of course you’ll stay here. Please, do come in. Let me take your coat. I’ll have someone prepare a room for you immediately. Would you like some tea?”

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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.