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Heiji was staring at the clock counting down the seconds. Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, THREE, TWO, ONE, MIDNIGHT! As soon the date on his display changed to May 4th he hit that call button.
“OI KUDO! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I thought as your bestie it’s ma duty to remind you of your special day! Bet ya forgot about it and your eyes are glued to another Holmes book right now.”
“Is it May 4th already?” Shinichi checked the date on his phone in disbelief. “Thank you!”
“So ya did indeed forget about it? Ha so am I the first one to call and wish ya a happy birthday?” Heiji asked proudly with a big grin on his face.
“Of course you are it’s barely past midnight. But I appreciate it so much thank you!” Shinichi tried to play it cool but the fact that Heiji really was the first one to call and the thought of him counting down the seconds to his birthday excited him more than he wished it did.
“Ya shouldn’t stay up too late, after all ya should look fresh on yer special day tomorrow.” Heiji teased, knowing Ran and Yukiko are throwing him a surprise party. It hasn’t been that long since they took down the Black Organization and he got his old body back. After everything that happened Shinichi didn’t spend much time around people. He was mostly in his room reading books, he didn’t feel like his old self. So Ran and Yukiko thought it be a good idea to throw him a big birthday surprise party to cheer him up even though Heiji wasn’t so sure if that really was what he needed.
“It can’t be so special if you’re not here to celebrate it with me.” Shinichi almost slipped but instead he just replied: “I guess you’re right. Goodnight then and again thank you for calling! I hope we get to meet up again soon.”
Heiji wanted to shout that they’ll see each other sooner than he thinks but he managed to hold back. “Goodnight and sleep well Kudo.” Heiji told him softly, maybe too softly before he hung up.
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The next day Heiji was in the worst mood possible. The cake he had planned out for Shinichi’s birthday didn’t turn out the way he wanted it to, to say the least. Not even Kazuha could properly fix up the disaster that he called a cake and Shizuka wouldn’t let him leave for Tokyo before he cleaned up the mess he made in the kitchen. He and Kazuha arrived in Tokyo way later than he planned to. He wanted to be there first, the surprise before the actual surprise and spend a little time with Shinichi, just the two of them. Ran texted them that they couldn’t wait any longer and that they have started without them. Heiji wasn’t mad about that, he knew they were late and that it was his fault but the thought of having to share him with everyone almost made him not want to go at all.
“He will be happy when he sees ya … and the … cake.” Kazuha said with a smile as she noticed Heiji making a long face. They never really talked about it but there was no need to.
“It looks ridiculous.” Heiji sighed.
“Come on, it’s not that bad! I helped ya. Plus I’d be happier about a cake a loved one made for me than some fancy ass cake they just bought with a ton of money.”
“If ya say so.”
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Once they arrived at the Kudo villa the party was in full swing. All his classmates were there and even half the police department came. There were a lot of people Heiji has never seen before as well, probably some of Yukiko’s and Yusaku’s acquaintances.
Shinichi was in the middle of a conversation but as soon as he saw Heiji he was all smiles and ran up to him.
“Hattori! No way you came! How are you?” Shinichi couldn’t hide his excitement, almost overlooking Kazuha who was standing right next to Heiji. “Oh Kazuha you came too … that is … great.” The jealousy overcame him. He likes Kazuha, he genuinely does but he envies how close she is to Heiji. How pretty she is. How long they’ve known each other. How he could never be to Heiji what Kazuha is to him.
“Happy Birthday Kudo-kun!” Kazuha felt the awkward vibes “I’ll go see if Ran-chan needs some help.” She handed the cake over to Heiji and left with giving Heiji a wink of encouragement. Shinichi was gutted seeing what he thought was Kazuha flirting with his crush. He wished he was a little braver to flirt with him as well but then again would it make a difference? Would Heiji even want that?
“Here I made ya a cake. Happy Birthday again!”
“You made it?” Shinichi asked in disbelief as he knows how bad of a cook Heiji is.
“I tired.” Heiji laughed and blushed a little. “Well Kazuha helped me fix the mess but I really wanted to make something for you!”
Kazuha again. The thought of them messing around, having fun and just spending time together didn’t sit right with him. But then again Heiji – the Heiji who can’t cook even if his life depended on it – baked that cake just for him? Shinichi was confused but before he could say anything Yukiko interrupted them.
“Heiji-kun! Great you guys could make it. I have to borrow Shin-chan for a second.” As they walked away Shinichi turned back to Heiji and gave him an apologizing shrug mouthing “sorry”.
Heiji knew it would be like that but not having the chance to talk to him for more than a minute annoyed him. Unsure what to do with the cake he looked for the place with the rest of the food and put it down there. Kazuha was busy gossiping with Sonoko and Ran and he didn’t want to interrupt them but he didn’t feel like talking to anybody else either. He took a big slice of his own cake so people would think that at least someone tried it even though he didn’t feel like eating at all. With the plate in one hand and his phone in the other to seem busy he made his way to the library. If he couldn’t spend the day with Shinichi he could at least spend it at Shinichi’s favourite spot. Not letting the plate out of his hand Heiji was looking at the overwhelming amount of books when he suddenly heard Shinichi’s voice.
“Hattori what are you doing here?”
Heiji startled but before he could answer Shinichi went on: “I was looking for you! But I ended up here trying to hide from all the people my mum wants me too meet.” He laughed. “It’s so exhausting I didn’t even want this party but here I am.”
“I told them it’s a bad idea. Can’t say I’m a big fan of it either.”
It made Shinichi happy that Heiji knew him that well and that they were on the same page about this party. Suddenly he had an idea.
“So you wouldn’t mind if we leave?” He grinned and before Heiji could answer Shinichi had grabbed his hand and dragged him along behind him.
“We just got to make sure no one sees us and wants to start another boring conversation with me.”
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They deftly manoeuvred their way out of the Kudo villa, away from the Kudo property running the last part to Professor Agasa’s garden as fast as they could as Shinichi knew no one would be there.
As they laughingly plunked down onto the little bench behind Agasa’s house Shinichi realised he was still holding Heiji’s hand. He immediately let go and his face turned red.
“I’m sorry.”
“I didn’t mind.” Heiji replied even though Shinichi didn’t specify what he was sorry for.
The silence was unbearably awkward.
“I’m really glad you came today! It means a lot, it wouldn’t have been the same without you.”
“Of course! I wouldn’t miss ma besties birthday!”
Shinichi tiptoeing around the subject of his feelings decided to drop the question even if it would ruin his birthday once and for all.
“So you and Kazuha huh?”
“What do ya mean?” Heiji asked genuinely confused.
“Well are you two dating now? I saw how she winked at you.”
Heiji tried to hold back a laugh. If only he could tell Shinichi what that wink actually meant. He might be a detective but he is bad at picking up these kind of clues.
“Wouldn’t ya be the first to know if I dated someone? And I emphasise the if because Kazuha and I are definitely not dating. I love her like my sister but I don’t have any feelings for her.”
Shinichi didn’t expect this answer but hearing it eased him and the relief he felt surprised him even more.
“What about you and Ran, Mr. Secretive?” Heiji tried to lighten the mood and distract from himself.
“I thought I liked her but I realised I don’t like that way. You know? Probably just like you and Kazuha then.”
They thought the silence earlier was awkward but this one was even worse. Shinichi suddenly noticed the plate with the cake in Heiji’s hand.
“So what is it with the cake?” Shinichi asked to break the silence.
“Well I tried to make one for ya but as ya can see it looks like a mess.”
“It does.” They both started laughing. Shinichi wasn’t one to lie, especially not about something like that and Heiji took no offence. That is what he likes about him.
“But you know I couldn’t do it better if I tried to so who am I to judge?" Shinichi tried to make him feel somewhat better about it. "I am craving something sweet though so let us try this disaster.” he teased.
Heiji was nervously waiting for Shinichi’s verdict because even though he knew the cake looked like shit he hoped it would at least taste good.
“Oh wow this is actually really good! Who would have thought that Hattori Heiji, Detective of the West could bake?”
“Now yer making fun of me.” Heiji rolled his eyes.
“No, I’m dead serious!” Shinichi took another bite “Here try it.”
Heiji started laughing, leaving Shinichi confused.
“What is it?”
“Ya have cream from the cake on yer face.”
Shinichi blushed and clumsily tried to wipe it away.
“Where?? Is it gone?”
“Nope ya missed a spot!” Heiji laughed.
He suddenly found himself staring at Shinichi’s lips longing to know how they taste. As impulsive as he is he leaned in and gave Shinichi a kiss without thinking about it. Shinichi’s eyes were wide open as he couldn’t believe what was happening. As soon as Heiji realised what he was doing he pulled back and started to panic and apologize.
“Oh my god I’m so sorry, I don’t know what came over me! I’m gonna go!” Heiji jumped up and was ready to run off and hide for the rest of his life. Shinichi still processing what just happened but not wanting him to leave grabbed his hand and pulled him back to the bench next to him.
“I think you missed a spot.”
Heiji’s heart sank into his boots. With his thumb he softly wiped away the last bit of cream that was left in the corner of Shinichi’s mouth before they locked lips once again. This time more determined. This time knowing that the other wants it too. Wants them too.
They could hear their hearts beat louder than the music that was coming from the party next door. Shinichi’s party. Shinichi’s party where he wasn’t at but he didn’t care as long as he was with Heiji.
“Who would have thought there was something sweeter than this birthday cake?” Shinichi grinned.