1Hi Icarusdg! Thank you for the prompts, I decided to use them all hehe. I hope you enjoy your Secret Santa gift. It was so lovely chatting with you in the discord server eg about dreams (knowing I was your Secret Santa mwahahah). I hope you enjoy your Secret Santa gift 3 To my other lovely readers, hi~ This was a slightly different genre than I'm used to, I found it exciting to push myself. Have fun reading!
A bullet whizzed past Shinichi's head, as he ducked and rolled behind the lab desk. The detective snapped his eyes back to the door.
"Let's see if you survive this!" Gin grinned, darkly.
Crack. Crash. Glass shattered over Shinichi's hiding form. Slicing his hand on a shard, he dashed to the next desk. It was messy; sugar packets and cups, carelessly left. Yanking the drawer beneath, he searched through scattered supplies. Finding potassium chlorate, an idea sparked.
Gin walked closer. Thump. Thump.
Shinichi grabbed a Bunsen Burner and sugar from the tabletop, pouring the chemicals onto the flame. Dense, white smoke burst out. Under the cover, Shinichi raced for the exit.
The door swung open; it was Vodka. This felt like Déjà vu.
Shinichi backtracked, crouching under a nearby desk. The detective kept his breathing quiet, focused, as he tossed his mini speaker to the other side of the lab. Gin followed the quick movement, gunfire pinging off the equipment.
"If you kill me, your boss won't be happy," Shinichi spoke into his bowtie. His voice echoed confidently, further away.
"You're better dead than alive," Gin responded, voice sharp. "He agrees."
There went his bargaining chip. Karasuma Renya had been obsessed with discovering how Shinichi survived the poison, but after recent events, he'd apparently given up. Despite the precarious situation, he was proud. Together with the FBI and a certain thief, they upended many operations, leading them to today.
"So, you've given up on living forever. Hm," Shinichi smirked, goading Gin. If he chased Shinichi's voice further into the lab, the detective could escape through the other door. Vodka's large frame moved quietly, head turning right and left, as the fog cleared.
"I'll kill you for the last time," Gin stalked closer to the speaker. "Doubt you'll survive a shot through your skull!"
"Aniki, it's a trick!" Vodka bellowed, appearing in front of Shinichi, gun aimed.
Dart.
His instincts saved him, as Vodka fell to the floor, asleep. Shinichi slid from under the desk, sprinting for the first door. A hand closed around his throat, yanking him back against Gin's chest.
A gun touched his temple. Gin's eyes widened manically, "Any last words?"
Shinichi steeled his chin, keeping silent.
Gin's grin sharpened, digging the gun into Shinichi's skin. He laughed, cruelly, "No?"
Shinichi closed his eyes.
Nothing.
The pressure disappeared. The hand around his neck. The pistol.
When he opened his eyes, Shinichi saw KID grinning at him with a tied-up Gin, thrashing violently on the floor. The thief exploded pink gas into his face, making the organisation member slump. Shinichi opened his mouth to warn KID of Gin's high anaesthesia tolerance, when KID waved his arm, "Don't worry, I used enough for an elephant."
As Gin and Vodka lay unmoving on the floor, KID's showman grin relaxed into something more human. The thief's scanned the detective, inspecting his body for injuries. Shinichi took a deep breath in and out, heart pounding from his near-death experience.
KID stepped closer, taking Shinichi's bleeding hand in his, bandaging it with a white scarf.
Shinichi looked up at KID's face, the thief's long lashes almost touched his cheek as he carefully wrapped the detective's hand. KID looked up at Shinichi, his gaze gentle.
"Thank you," Shinichi breathed. With all the adrenaline, he hadn't even noticed the pain.
"Wait for me," KID spoke, his indigo eyes serious. "Next time."
Shinichi felt a pang of guilt, seeing through the plea for what it was: worry. "Sorry," he apologised.
KID stayed silent. The thief finished bandaging his hand, but held on, his thumb tracing a line on Shinichi's. The featherlight sensation made the sting of the cut insignificant, as the detective's attention focused on KID's contact.
"It's fine," KID smirked, lightening the mood. The thief let go of his hand, and Shinichi ignored the weird tightness in his chest. KID knelt down, tying up Vodka and searching through Gin's pockets, "Just wait for me next time."
"Sure," Shinichi chuckled, putting his hands on his hips. "Next criminal organisation."
"I'm glad we have an understanding," KID mused, voice like silk, as he straightened up. Shinichi felt his lips quirk up, amused, as he noticed the thief stealing Gin's hairbands and pins.
Buzz.
KID retrieved a black phone from Gin's inside pocket. "Meitantei," KID's tone turned serious, he turned the screen towards Shinichi.
A message from Anokata read, 'Bomb. Twenty Minutes. Evacuate.'
Shinichi's face paled, as his hand flew to the comm in his ear, tapping it, "Jodie? A bomb will explode in twenty minutes. I repeat, a bomb will explode in twenty minutes."
No-one replied, but Shinichi hoped they'd heard him. The FBI had organised this rapid takedown, aided by the Japanese Secret Police and CIA. Vermouth had 'let slip' the boss' headquarters to Bourbon, hinting that they'll be moving the next day. And no-one wasted time.
"So, are we escaping?" KID asked, "Or…" he trailed off, tone shifting. The phone already hidden on his person, ready; hands in his pockets.
Shinichi weighed their options, eyes glancing at Gin and Vodka. They wouldn't be able to carry the organisation members out, not in twenty minutes. They could run, but that wouldn't guarantee their teammates' safety. The labs were priceless, the evidence invaluable.
Shinichi faced KID, finding the thief already smirking with a determined glint in his eyes.
"I want to defuse the bomb."
"Let's go then," KID grinned.
With KID, Shinichi felt invincible. Their telepathic teamwork cleared the floor. Invisible to the fleeing members; shadows became their allies, walls their cover.
Time ticked. The volatile lab chemicals would've created a disastrous explosion, but the search turned up empty. As they hid, Shinichi whispered, "If their goal is to destroy evidence..."
"The control room," KID finished the thought, leading the detective through a member's blind spot. Their pursuit shifted to the facility's heart, finding a bolted metal door with an access panel.
FIFTEEN MINUTES.
KID swiped a black card, probably pickpocketed off Gin, and the door beeped green. Shinichi followed KID in the control room, seeing a countdown boldly displayed on one of the screens. A visual reminder of their race.
The electricity hummed tauntingly, as the thief and detective inspected the room, finding no bomb. Again. A flash of movement on a screen caught Shinichi's eye. A crow-like man sped down a dark basement corridor, carrying a remote control.
"That's the boss!" Shinichi pointed. "And his hand!"
KID came close, cheek almost touching Shinichi's, as he focused on the screen. The detective and thief shared a glance, they had a new plan:
Get the remote.
Placing his hands on the keyboard, KID's fingers were a blur of motion, as he effortlessly bypassed security protocols. Just as Karasuma vanished from the screen, KID hacked through the system, shifting camera feeds to display a real-time map of the boss's escape route. It was a chess game played with pixels.
Shinichi's eyes narrowed, "He's heading for a dead end." The billionaire was calculative to a fault; he wouldn't corner himself for no reason.
"We'll find out why," KID answered, straightening up with a hand in his pocket.
THIRTEEN MINUTES.
Sprinting out of the control room, their strides became leaps, as they neared the staircase. KID flashed a cheeky grin at Shinichi before smoothly springing onto the banister. Shinichi followed suit, albeit not as gracefully. Adrenaline and a childlike glee pounded in his heart, as they slid down the metal railing.
When they reached the corridor's end, it was empty; Karasuma nowhere to be found.
"Must be a secret passage," KID muttered, ear already pressed against the left wall. The thief ran his fingers along the edges, feeling for concealed mechanisms.
Recalling the surveillance footage, Shinichi visualised the basement's layout, considering the building's architectural integrity. All the walls seemed viable. The detective's eyes snapped to the camera behind them; from the way it was positioned and his memory of the screens, the right wall is a blind spot.
"Try the right wall," Shinichi's voice sliced through the tension.
The thief shifted to the right, he tapped on the wall, gaze snapping to the detective's; this was it. Exploring the surface, KID pressed on different sections. A faint click resonated, making the right wall slide open.
KID turned to Shinichi with a triumphant grin, "Nice, Tantei-kun."
Caught in KID's glow, Shinichi helplessly smiled back, before noticing a second mechanical door with a keycode.
"We could lift the fingerprints?" Shinichi suggested, aware it could deduce the most frequently pressed buttons and their order.
"Too much time," KID replied, pulling out a mysterious device. Shinichi watched curiously as the thief ran the device over the surface.
'Ah, Heat Signature Detection," Shinichi realised.
The compact thermal imaging device revealed residual heat patterns left by the boss's fingers. Identifying the sequence of warmer buttons, KID successfully cracked the code. Shinichi marvelled at KID's ingenuity.
The secret passage was modern; sterile white with dimly lit panels. Shinichi and KID pressed forward, thick air creating a sense of confinement.
TEN MINUTES.
Alert, they listened for footsteps, catching only Shinichi's; KID moved like a ninja.
As they ventured deeper, they heard heavy thumps and breathing. Speeding up, they rounded a bend, finding Karasuma heading towards a door.
Swiftly, KID aimed his grappling hook at Karasuma's legs.
Hearing the whizzing sound, Karasuma jumped just in time. The boss turned his beak-like nose to glance back.
"Damn, this old man can jump," KID muttered, shooting higher.
"My, my! A detective and thief, working together!" Karasuma's voice echoed dramatically, dodging the hook.
"For over a hundred, you're pretty fit. What's your secret?" Shinichi goaded. They needed to get that remote control.
"Same as yours," Karasuma grinned, eyes melting like acid down his face.
"And what is that?" Shinichi taunted, "You don't know."
Karasuma reached the door but turned, his eyes narrowing into angry slits, mouth drooping. KID took out his card gun, but as soon as he aimed, Karasuma raised his thumb above a red button, threateningly.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Karasuma spoke ominously. "My finger might slip."
A flap of wings behind them. Hope. Shinichi turned, expecting to see KID's doves only to be plunged in cold sweat.
A crow flew at them like a grenade. KID and Shinichi ducked, avoiding its claws, as it soared towards its master. Sensing their disadvantage, Shinichi straightened up, "You want to know how I survived. I can tell you... if you give me the remote."
Karasuma laughed pityingly, "I can find other guinea pigs."
Shinichi noticed KID's hands wander behind him, preparing a trick. Keeping the attention on himself, Shinichi took a step forward, throwing his voice, "Gin and Vodka are lying here, you're going to leave them?" The billionaire was ruthless, viewing people as disposable, even his most loyal followers. The detective knew this appeal wouldn't sway Karasuma, but he played up the act, lifting the inner corner of his eyebrows.
Karasuma scoffed in response, focusing his gaze on the crow who had almost reached him.
With a flash, KID disappeared from next to him. Karasuma's eyes widened in the first instance of fear from the man. Shinichi noticed that the thief hadn't vanished, but had coated himself in mirrors, quietly moving towards the boss.
"Show yourself!" Karasuma yelled. The empty whiteness made this trick possible, blending the thief into the background. "You can still work for me, Toichi. And I might leave your wife alone." Shinichi noted the information, suddenly cold.
Like a rock in the river, KID's resolve withstood the intimidation. While the boss' eyes darted round, Shinichi dashed forwards, hands outstretched.
KID almost had the remote, when the crow flew into the thief, shattering his reflective disguise with a strong peck. Instantly, the boss' eyes shoved the thief back, crashing him into Shinichi. Karasuma pressed a smaller button on his remote.
A wall descended from the ceiling to block the path they'd come from. Followed by another. And another. KID and Shinichi dived forward, narrowly avoiding the third wall.
The crow dropped an ornate box within the billionaire's hand, his gnarly nails resembling overgrown claws. Opening the door, Karasuma smirked darkly, "Send my regards to Sherry. In the afterlife!"
The wall slammed shut in front of their faces, sealing KID and Shinichi in. The silence was suffocating.
EIGHT MINUTES.
Shinichi looked at KID in horror, shivering. The gravity of their predicament bore down on him; the boss had escaped with the remote and they were trapped. KID's gloved hands clenched his, rooting the detective to reality, "We've faced worse odds, we can do this."
Shinichi let out a shuddering breath, with a determined frown. "We can do this," Shinichi repeated, nodding. "There's a way out."
The boss' parting taunt reminded Shinichi that Karasuma wasn't as all-powerful as he presented himself. Despite what the billionaire believed, Haibara was very much alive. The thought filled him with hope; they will make it out.
Together, KID and Shinichi explored various methods to break free. Their fingers traced every surface for weaknesses. KID shot his grappling hook and then his card gun at the bottom of the wall, targeting potential mechanisms. "KID," Shinichi warned, blowing up a football. Despite being nowhere near it, the thief instinctively ducked, eyes widening in uncharacteristic panic—something the detective would have found hilarious at any other time. Hoping to dent the wall, he unleashed a powerful kick, but it simply hit and deflated.
KID straightened up, frowning. Gesturing for Shinichi to stand back, KID threw a flashbang. It left no mark. The conclusion was clear: the wall was likely fire-rated gypsum board. Facts about the material dropped through Shinichi's mind like the ending credits of a film – layer of gypsum, durable, fire-resistant. Shinichi shook his head; that knowledge wouldn't help now.
Desperation gripped Shinichi as he tapped his comms, calling out, "Jodie? Jodie? Do you hear me? We're trapped in the basement." Silence. Nothing earlier either. The black organisation had anticipated their arrival, fortifying an electromagnetic field. A bitter taste lingered in his mouth – had Vermouth set them up?
"Open! Release!" KID commanded in Karasuma's voice, then switched back to himself, "What was his crow's name?"
"I don't- Kuro?" Shinichi guessed.
"Kuro!" KID declared. It didn't work.
As they explored every avenue, realisation dawned that there might be no escape. KID came to a halt, his shoulders easing as he fixated on a point beyond their confines. His expression was thoughtful, like one of a prophet who had all the time in the world.
Shinichi could see that KID had accepted their fate. But he couldn't. He refused. Shinichi continued futile attempts, feeling the thief's eyes on him.
"Tantei-kun," KID spoke gently.
Shinichi began to repeat ideas they'd already tried, hoping they could work this time.
"Tantei-kun," KID repeated. Shinichi grew still.
FOUR MINUTES.
If it were just him, it would've been fine. But KID was there – KID, who selflessly saved him countless times without wanting anything in return; KID, who filled his hot chocolate to the brim with marshmallows and still added sugar; KID, whose heart outshone all the jewels in the world.
"I'm so sorry, I dragged you into this and now…" Shinichi stared at KID in despair.
"Hey," KID smiled sadly, placing his hands on Shinichi's shoulders, "I chose to come here. You didn't drag me into anything."
"We could've run."
"Remember what we said, a week ago. If there's a way to save everyone, that's what we want," KID reminded him. In disguise, looking through library archives, the detective and the thief had connected on how they're similar that way; how every life, even the most heinous of criminals, was important to them. The thief gazed at him, warmly, "Shinichi, I don't regret my choice."
Shinichi met the thief's gaze, a calm washing over him. Oddly, KID's hands seemed to lift the weight from Shinichi's shoulders. "I don't regret it either."
Slowly, KID and Shinichi breathed in together. They let it out, exhaling into the quiet. After a moment, KID lowered his hands to his sides and settled on the floor, stretching his legs. Shinichi watched the thief before deciding to make himself comfortable as well. "So, this is really it," Shinichi stretched upwards, releasing a sigh. Leaning against the wall, he slid down to sit beside KID, bending one of his knees.
They looked ahead, gazing at nothing. It felt simultaneously ordinary and peculiar—ordinary as if they were leisurely awaiting a train, but peculiar because of its destination. KID leaned back against his hands, casting a wistful look at the ceiling. Shinichi, sensing the unspoken desire, wished he could give it to him. Shinichi wished he could give him the sky.
"Are you worried? For your… wife," Shinichi asked, an ache tugging at the edges of his words.
"He meant my mum. And nah," KID tilted his head towards him. The corners of Shinichi's lips quirked up at the revelation, then were quickly subdued. Within, Shinichi felt a faint flutter. "She's… you know and she's always travelling anyway. He won't get to her," KID stated, confident in his mother, the Phantom Lady's, abilities. The thief's inner eyebrows raised as he reflected.
Shinichi's thoughts drifted to the people in his life. Fleetingly, he imagined his parents' reaction; undoubtedly distraught, but ultimately resilient. Mixed emotions lingered—a jilted younger Shinichi's longing for closeness, yet an acknowledgment that, in their own way, they cared for each other.
When he thought of family, it had always been Ran. She had been his big sister, even before Conan, and his gratitude for her ran deep. Because of her, he knew true friendship; she shaped the person he had become. The reasons he had lied to Ran seemed so trivial now, like the annoying patter of rain when you forgot to bring an umbrella. Shinichi regretted never telling her the truth, driven not only by concern for her safety but, more significantly, by the fear of her reaction. Shinichi never gave her the opportunity to understand. Even though the romance had faded between them, Ran was still his best friend. Yet, Shinichi also forgave himself, recognising he did his best to protect her with the options he had at the time. The lighting in their box seemed warmer, as Shinichi imagined her chasing her dreams, evolving into a world-class karate champion. He hoped that her nurturing tendencies would turn inward; she was a mother to everyone else, and he wished she would give more to herself. A lingering curiosity crossed his mind, wondering if she would forever fear ghosts. Shinichi smiled wryly.
The detective rested his elbow on his knee, thinking 'You never know.'
That morning, Shinichi was listening to Agasa tell him about a new idea for an invention. Haibara had been packing her school bag, humorously spewing worrying facts about coffee consumption, while he had a cup. Shinichi had given her a deadpan look but was happy to see her starting to relax, especially after all the recent anxiety.
'You never know when it's time.'
A sharp pain pierced his heart because Shinichi knew… He knew Haibara will blame herself, how easily she can cast aside her life. And he hoped, wished for her to live a peaceful and happy life. Shinichi yearned for her to live free from fear, to indulge herself with Prada bags, go on camping trips with the Detective Boys, maybe even adopt a kitten. He wanted to see it happen too. Shinichi blinked rapidly, suppressing the moisture gathering in his eyes.
Agasa would ensure Haibara was okay. They'd look out for each other. The Detective Boys, with their positivity and thoughtfulness, will drag her out of darkness. As they grew up, Shinichi hoped they never lost that optimistic light. He briefly pondered what Agasa might tell Ayumi, Genta, and Mitsuhiko about Conan but then let it go. There was no need to worry about it right now.
Shinichi fondly recalled the first time he met Agasa. As a curious 7-year-old, he dashed into the cluttered workshop, drawn by a mysterious bang. Agasa calmly reassured him and then excitedly explained his latest invention, treating the young detective like an equal. The professor had made Shinichi feel seen, then and all his life. He hoped Agasa's budding romance with his first love, Fusae Campbell, took root and thrived. He pictured Haibara's delight at Agasa dating a fashion designer, happy to be benefiting with fancy clothes from the relationship. He imagined Haibara ensuring the professor ate healthily, ignoring his kicked puppy eyes; a familiar scene, and Shinichi felt a physical ache in his chest as he missed them.
The detective breathed in through his nose, holding it for a few seconds. He then leaned his head against the wall, exhaling slowly.
Hattori's grin flashed through his mind. In their last meeting, the Osakan had poked fun at Shinichi's 'shit' Clark Kent-like disguise, quipping, "You do know it's not the glasses that hid your identity, right?" He then comically squashed a baseball cap onto Shinichi's head, ignoring his squawks of protest. Huffing out his nose in amusement, Shinichi was grateful how Hattori, the first to deduce his identity, had swiftly become a best friend. The Osakan knew who he was, never forgetting (clearly, with how much he slipped up with his name), and yet, ironically, became someone Shinichi could be childish with. The detective smiled, reminiscing about their various pranks. Shinichi was aware that Hattori was already annoyed about missing the action today, evident from the angry face emojis and cautionary response he received in response to the plan updates Shinichi sent to both him and KID. Nevertheless, Shinichi was relieved he hadn't come, that he was safe. Shinichi had a deep knowing that the black organisation will be taken down, even if not today. He trusted the Osakan, knowing he can rely on him to, in his absence, ensure their goal was achieved. To Shinichi, Hattori was one of the most heroic individuals he had ever known.
Another was sitting right next to him.
Shinichi turned his head, finding KID already looking at him, a soft line gracing his lips. The thief had mirrored his leg position, resting his elbow on his knee while placing his chin in his hand. "You know," KID broke the silence, his presence close. "If I had to die with anyone, I'm glad it's you."
Shinichi smiled gently, feeling a comforting warmth from the thief's words. His gaze lowered to the floor, "Me too. Thank you…" the detective lifted his eyeline, serious, "For everything."
KID smiled back, eyes crinkling. Shinichi felt a cascade of goosebumps, a comforting peace spreading from his heart to the rest of his body.
It was true. Shinichi was glad that it was KID beside him; in the company of the thief, he felt authentically himself. Living with dual identities brought times where Shinichi felt like he was losing himself, yet with KID—someone who comprehended this struggle better than anyone else—Shinichi didn't need to try, he could just be. The detective might not know the thief's name, but he knew who he was.
KID casually removed his hat and monocle, lowering the items as if he hadn't just dismantled the invisible barrier that had existed between them for so long. Shinichi rested his chin in his hand, allowing himself, for once, to freely gaze at the thief's face.
KID was breath-taking, his features seemingly crafted by an enamoured artist. His eyes were the colour of magic, a rare shade of indigo. They were staring back at him, as enticing as an aurora. To the public, part of the appeal of the phantom thief was the mystery, but to Shinichi, the person behind the mask (face included), was much more fascinating.
"What are you thinking?" KID asked, curiously.
Shinichi opened his mouth, about to make something up, when he closed it, contemplative. He decided to be bold. "How you'd probably gain a lot more fans if they saw your face."
KID's mouth dropped open, lips quirking up. He lifted his chin off his hand, fingertips brushing his bottom lip, "Tantei-kun… If I didn't know any better, I'd say you like my face."
Shinichi shrugged; reserves gone. His tone went coy, "It's a pretty face."
KID's eyelids lowered as he analysed the detective, searchingly; Shinichi never flirted back when the thief was in his flirty moods. Feeling his cheeks warm, Shinichi glanced at his watch.
ONE MINUTE.
Checking the time, KID sighed. The thief lifted his shoulder in an 'oh well' gesture, "Any last words?"
Time seemed to slow down as Shinichi looked from KID's eyes to his lips.
"I've always wanted to kiss you," Shinichi murmured, reckless. There was something about knowing you're about to die that made you a lot more truthful.
KID's eyes widened animalistically before pouncing on Shinichi. The thief crashed his lips onto the detective's, devouring him. Shinichi startled before realising that his deepest desires were coming alive, and he responded with equal passion. With a frantic urgency, they simultaneously held and ran their hands all over each other. KID's fingers were in his hair, tracing his neck, holding his cheek, drawing a line down his spine. Shinichi moaned, a wildfire blazing inside him.
All control was lost.
Shinichi spread his hands up KID's chest, as he sucked the thief's bottom lip into his mouth. When KID's breath hitched, the detective squeezed the thief's skin, needing to get closer. KID wrapped his arm around Shinichi's waist, pulling him nearer. The thief sucked kisses down Shinichi's cheek to his neck, making the detective gasp. Shinichi grasped KID's hair tightly, it was so soft.
TEN SECONDS.
Trembling, KID cradled Shinichi's face with both his hands, pressing their lips together. The detective felt the thief nip at his bottom lip, then immediately soothe it with his tongue. It was intoxicating and heart wrenching; they could've been doing this all this time. Shinichi's hands lowered to the nape of KID's neck, holding the thief who held his heart.
FIVE.
KID caressed Shinichi's cheek, pressing their foreheads together. The detective looked up and saw his own fear reflected in the thief's eyes.
FOUR.
"Shinichi, my name's Kaito."
"Kaito…" Shinichi repeated like a prayer, as the thief pushed their lips together.
THREE.
Shinichi crawled into Kaito's lap, wishing he had more time. He yearned to hold the thief's hand in busy streets, to see those indigo eyes in the sunlight. The seconds came quicker and quicker.
TWO.
Shinichi and Kaito clung tighter to each other. Neither wanted to go, there was still so much they wanted to do. So much they wanted to say.
ONE.
The walls started to shake. Shinichi kissed Kaito softly, simply pressing their lips together as the world disappeared.
…
A gasp.
Shinichi leaned away, opening his eyes. Jodie stood there; eyes as wide as American saucers as she stared at them in shock. Shinichi and Kaito exchanged glances, slowly processing that the mechanical barrier had lifted, and the building was miraculously intact.
Static and loud voices flickered in Shinichi's ear.
Jodie's hand went to her comm, "Uh yeah, I found them. In the basement, there's a hidden passage." Kaito and Shinichi sat on the floor, momentarily dumbfounded, until the thief's instincts kicked in. He stood up, shielding his face with his hat and monocle, seamlessly transforming back into KID. The detective scrambled up, tucking his shirt into his trousers. KID (Kaito) ran his hands through Shinichi's hair, causing the detective to look up, feeling his heart flutter. The thief, having already restored his appearance, smoothed out Shinichi's hair, stepping away just as a figure appeared.
Sera rushed into the space. Upon seeing them, a huge smile lit up her face. The female detective launched herself at Shinichi, enveloping him in a hug, "I'm so glad you're safe!" After a moment, she leaned away, walking over to inspect the white walls. Shinichi, in awe, turned to the thief.
Safe. They were safe?
"What's the situation?" KID asked, alert.
Jodie grinned, "We've taken control of the building." The FBI agent observed them closely, a knowing sparkle in her eyes.
"What, really?" Shinichi said, bewildered but hopeful.
"Yep! Sadly, Karasuma ran off, but we still managed to capture many members," Sera leaned on her hip, explaining. Additional officers from various international law enforcement agencies started gathering, exploring the secret passage.
"We chased Karasuma here," Shinichi straightened, focused. "His crow gave him a small box; we think it was something important."
"Hm a small box," Sera mused, tapping her finger to her chin.
"We'll add that to the list, good job," Jodie nodded, pressing her comm. The team must have successfully lifted the electromagnetic field. "Luckily, thanks to Camel, we stopped the bomb."
"Thank god for Camel. Where was it?" KID questioned, with an appreciative tone.
"Near a power generator," Jodie continued, her tone steady. "Now, it's a matter of gathering evidence. But that's not for you, you both can go home." Some of the agents carefully navigated the path, stepping over mirror fragments to investigate where the door at the end led.
"I'll go explore the basement basement," Sera informed Jodie, "There's enough people here." The female detective waved and bounced back the way she came.
"So, it's over," Shinichi relaxed; at last, dropping his guard. "It's finally over."
"Yes, Cool Kid," Jodie smiled warmly, an empathetic glow in her eyes.
Shinichi and KID shared an emotional look; they started smiling, and Shinichi chuckled a little. After all the years spent in hiding, the restless nights, the Black Organisation was finally crumbling. KID, still mentally reeling from the shock of being alive, inhaled deeply. His ingrained muscle memory ensured a poised stance whenever he donned his costume, especially in the company of law enforcement. However, after that experience, Shinichi could see KID couldn't help but convey a relieved joy in his eyes.
The thief bowed to the FBI agent, presenting her with a hot pink rose, "Thank you, Ojou-san."
"Oh!" Jodie accepted the rose, delighted at the magic trick. "No problem, KID-san. We owe just as much of the success of this to you." She put the rose in an inside pocket of her jacket, as her phone dinged with a notification. "That'll be the police," Jodie looked up at KID, "Your temporary alliance with the FBI doesn't extend to the Metropolitan Police Force, so I would suggest…"
"Of course, but first," KID magicked a flash drive into his hand, which he extended to the FBI agent. "I think you'll find this useful."
"…Is this?" Jodie uttered, looking to the memory stick in her hand to the thief.
Shinichi replied for the thief, impressed, "Yeah, somehow he managed amongst all the chaos."
"I just hacked into their database and this device did the rest," KID modestly shrugged, with a charming grin. Shinichi tilted his head, recalling how they had left the camera feeds focused on that specific basement corridor. That was most likely how their team had located them.
"Thank you! This is exactly what we needed," Jodie gushed, turning around to exit the room, "I need to show the others! And- Oh wait," she stopped to look at them over her shoulder with a smirk. Shinichi felt his cheeks heat, he should've known Jodie wouldn't have let it go.
Jodie stepped closer to them, whispering, "KID-san, you should probably help Kudou-kun cover up his…" she pointed to her neck, "the press will be outside after all," Jodie walked away, seemingly oblivious to their mortification.
Pressing his lips together, Shinichi glanced up at the thief. At Kaito. Kaito met Shinichi's look, his indigo eyes revealing a mixture of mischief and longing. The air between them crackled with an unspoken connection, their bodies subtly leaning into each other. Kaito inclined his head, leading their way out of the tunnel.
Stepping out of the secret passage felt surreal. The door stood wide open; it was amusing to see a high-tech security door casually propped ajar by a simple chair.
A short distance away, Kaito pulled Shinichi into a secluded alcove with a sly smirk. Shinichi's breath quickened. The thief produced a palette of creamy pigments, his fingers selecting the green hue before skilfully applying it to Shinichi's neck.
"Green?" Shinichi frowned, thrown off.
"Trust the process, Tantei-kun," Kaito's voice was light and cheeky, obviously enjoying the detective's confusion.
The detective touched his ear, switching off his comm. "…I liked it better when you called me Shinichi," Shinichi teased.
Kaito paused in his movements, biting his lip. His gaze was almost sinful, "Yeah? Careful. I might not let you go."
Shinichi tilted his head, his lips helplessly stretching into a smile as he looked away. The thief exchanged the palette for a nude tube, stroking the colour along the detective's neck before patting a powder on top. The certainty of life's impermanence had taught Shinichi not to hold back. Despite the shyness seeping in, he reached out, his fingers grazing Kaito's, "So don't," Shinichi expressed, his vulnerability evident.
Kaito's lips parted, his eyes widening with an innocent hope, "When you said you've always, I… I've had feelings for you for a while." Kaito deftly vanished the brush, a subtle nervousness to his movements, and Shinichi realized that the thief was allowing him to glimpse his inner reactions, trusting him. Kaito chuckled, "Like an embarrassingly long time."
Shinichi beamed, feeling as if Kaito had handed him the sun itself, radiating joy through every fibre of his being. "I liked you when I was still Conan."
Kaito's eyebrows rose, he pressed his lips together in a soft smile. Leaning in, slightly abashed, the thief confessed, "So did I… It was pretty confusing. But I realised it when I saw you transformed with a temporary antidote!" Kaito added, feeling the need to defend himself, a fact that Shinichi noted with amusement.
Shinichi couldn't stop smiling if he tried. And to think, that they both liked each other and almost died without letting the other know. "We're really lucky."
"Yeah, I really thought that was it," Kaito reached for Shinichi's hand, interlocking their fingers.
"No," Shinichi answered, warmly gazing at their hands, "Not yet." The flurry of activity outside the alcove reminded them that they were still in the Black Organisation headquarters. "Come to mine tonight. You can sleepover."
Kaito's eyebrows shot up, cheeks reddening. The thief blinked a few times, composing himself. His eyes darkened with desire, a sly pull to his lips, "Okay."
"Not like that!" Shinichi chided, correcting the thief's assumption, "I just meant to celebrate."
"To celebrate," Kaito repeated, suggestively.
Shinichi scoffed, amused, "We've had sleepovers before."
"Yeah, but now," Kaito spoke slowly, brushing his nose with Shinichi's, "I know I can kiss you…" Shinichi's gaze drifted down to Kaito's mouth, feeling a magnetic pull between them akin to the irresistible force between magnets.
As footsteps approached, Kaito stepped back. Sera popped her head into the alcove, "You're still here? Go home, we'll handle it from here."
"Uh thanks, Sera," Shinichi nodded, awkwardly.
Sera nodded back, then flashed a thumbs-up at the thief, "Good job with the makeup!"
Shinichi's eyebrows knitted together in embarrassed dismay—great, another person in the know.
"Oh and Shinichi-kun," Sera lowered her voice conspiratorially, "The others are worried the boss might come after you, so agents are going to be shadowing you. Thought I'd give you a heads up, just in case…" Sera finished her sentence with a wink, her gaze shifting toward Kaito.
"I'll be sneaky," Kaito smirked, winking back. Shinichi's eyes widened at the thief's audacity, telling his friend.
"Uh no, you won't. Because you're not coming over," Shinichi folded his arms, raising an eyebrow. Kaito immediately adopted a kicked-puppy look, his bottom lip wobbling.
Sera's eyebrows lifted, and her mouth quivered in a valiant effort to contain her laughter.
She failed, snickering. "Okay, go home now," Sera instructed, grinning widely. The female detective wiggled her fingers in a playful farewell before setting off.
"Am I actually not allowed to come over?"
Shinichi shifted his eyes to the thief, pursing his lips, "…You can."
Kaito beamed; if he was a dog, his tail would've been wagging, "Yes! We don't have to do anything, by the way. We can just sleep."
Shinichi scanned Kaito's physique, recalling the firmness of the thief's chest beneath his hands. The detective briefly bit his bottom lip and then smirked slightly, "We'll see."
Kaito made a pinched expression, his eyes widening then narrowing, "I'm going to go now. Before I end up shoving you against this wall and..."
Shinichi's mouth went dry. Phantom sensations appeared, lingering everywhere the thief had touched, "…I think that's a good idea."
"I'll see you tonight," Kaito grinned, eyes glinting giddily.
Fondness enveloped Shinichi as he leaned forward, brushing a kiss on Kaito's cheek, "Come early."
Kaito blushed, bringing a hand to his mouth. A cheeky gleam entered his eyes as his hand morphed into a finger gun, pointing at Shinichi. "We'll see," Kaito winked.
"Oh my god," Shinichi rolled his eyes, placing a hand over his mouth to hide his grin. "You think you're funny."
"Oh yeah," Kaito replied, his voice lowered in a playful imitation of a jazz singer. Despite the joking tone, Shinichi found it oddly attractive. "So do you~"
"Lies," Shinichi shook his head, but then looked up at Kaito with a smile.
Kaito's eyes softened. He cradled Shinichi's cheek with his hand, "See you soon." The thief pressed a soft kiss against his lips, making Shinichi's eyes flutter closed. When the detective opened them, the thief had disappeared, leaving behind a single red rose. Shinichi tapped his comm, turning it back on.
Stepping into the sunlight outside the headquarters, Shinichi felt its warmth as numerous reporters gasped at his emergence from hiding. His life was his responsibility, and he would live it courageously, without regrets. The detective had been given a rare chance and promised himself to make the most out of it. Shinichi intended to trust Ran with his story, ensure his friends knew their importance to him— even if it felt uncomfortable to express it— and just generally enjoy his life. For he realised that he had been given the most precious gift of all: Time.
For those curious, the prompts were:
1) Time Limit
2) First Kiss
3) 'No, not…' You? Yet
I've really enjoyed getting to know you guys, like learning little details about your life and just generally joking around together on Discord. The KaiShin community is such a beautiful haven. I can't even describe the joy your kind, kind comments give me. I appreciate every single one, whether it's emojis or longer detailed ones.
Let me know how you're feeling after reading this, I would love to know what you thought or little details you liked
Take care of yourself, fellow dcmk fan! See you next time!
PS: Icarusdg, I love your fics! You might have noticed I bingeread them around the time we received our assignments~