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Safe and comfortable: two words Shuichi Saihara always strives to be, no matter what. He often considers himself a rationalist, someone who knows all the potential risks and has his future written carefully at the back of his hand. Everything must be in place. Everything must be in order. In his small, safe bubble, he doesn’t have to worry about anything else.
Safe and comfortable . Small, organized- not a single mess, not a single risk.
So, why? Why is he, the most renowned and careful of the city’s youngest detectives, skipping work to venture in the snowy night with the Phantom Thief?
The infamous Phantom Thief , he sighs mentally, and it could have literally been anyone else. It’s too ironic to him. He’s undoubtedly respected and loved by his community, especially after catching many notorious criminals at the budding age of twenty-one. But, now, he’s spending time with the latest criminal he has to capture.
He already knows that he has let the people (especially his mentor, Kirigiri-san—fuck) down just by agreeing to this thief’s wants. That, instead of arresting him, he - he just didn’t.
How did that even happen? He tries to recall, still running on the buildings’ vast rooftops with the Phantom Thief, the brilliant city lights upon them and his hand holding his.
( “Ohh, Saihara-chan!”
“—ah!”
Shuichi panics at the sudden, muffled voice, witnessing the familiar thief tapping on the window. There’s snow that descends softly in the night, seeming like a backdrop of white stars behind the criminal. And Shuichi, who was just working on his detective paperwork, is looking at the man incredulously.
No one else in the office seems to notice, which makes sense since most of his colleagues work during the day. But, even then, Shuichi wishes that someone else could confirm the thief’s sudden appearance. It would make him feel less crazy.
What if the sight of this criminal is all an illusion? It would make sense, right? Especially since all he has been doing, for the past, long months, was trying to catch the Phantom Thief.
The criminal seems to have read his mind, and so he laughs. “I promise I’m real.” He mouths and points at the door to the balcony.
The building in which Shuichi works stands as tall as the night, reaching the stars and moon in the perfect way that mesmerizes the detective. During his breaks, he’d usually go to the balcony and bask in the cold frost of the evening, coffee usually in hand and gaze set into the vast, starry sky.
He would’ve enjoyed the idea of going to the balcony again, but he was more nervous than anything. He hesitates, making sure his means of defense are in his proximity. Then he anxiously steps into the evening.)
Looking back, he could’ve at least notified his co-workers about the sudden appearance, just in case something happens to him. But he didn’t. Why was he so compelled to follow the Phantom Thief? Why was he a lot less careful than before?
Then, as he recalls the memory further, he suddenly remembers why.
(His smile.
The Phantom Thief smiles at him softly—gently, like the snow falling around them when Shuichi approaches the criminal. He’s supposed to be arresting him, supposed to draw his weapon out and say: “you have the right to remain silent,” yet the detective says this instead:
“Why are you here?” And there was no weapon in sight.
It’s probably that damn smile, he curses at himself mentally—that slight tilt of his mouth that’s making him act so stupidly. He should’ve been smarter. He should’ve thought of his escape plan just in case things get out of hand, but there was only one thought that came to mind.
The Phantom Thief’s smile is kind of cute.
“You came.” He acknowledges first before letting out his usual ‘nishishi.’ Admittedly, Shuichi is flustered, but he chooses to keep his guard on. “I wasn’t expecting you to do what I said so easily.”
Neither did he, but Shuichi digresses. “Can’t you answer my question? You’re a wanted criminal, Ouma. I should be arresting you right now.”
“Aw, aren’t you being too harsh on your childhood friend?” He pouts, clasping his hands together. His hands are pale, Shuichi observes, slim fingers that he would hold forever if he- wait no.
The detective sighs, his gaze drifting away to land on the night view. He really wonders why he’s confronting the thief this way. Is he here to turn himself in? Is this a prank? Will Shuichi get in trouble if he’s not hostile?
After a moment of silence, the Phantom Thief finally answers him.
“I just want to take my beloved detective on a date, that’s all.”
Shuichi chokes.
W-What? What did he just say?
“A date,” he says more slowly, teasing at the red that suddenly bloomed on Shuichi’s cheeks. “I want to hold Saihara-chan’s hand and build snowmen with him and kiss him under the moon and-“
“Hold on, hold on!” Shuichi panics, red-faced and waving his hands frantically. “You’re going too fast, wait-“ Was this a confession?
“Hm?” The thief tilts his head, giving off the very image of faux-innocence. “There seems to be a looot of things going on in Saihara-chan’s mind.”
He grins, and Shuichi only looks at him, clearly confused.
“But it’s simple. I want to spend Christmas Eve with him because there’s nothing in the world that makes me happier than his smile.
So… can we forget that we’re rivals- just for tonight, and have fun?”)
What happened after that was a blur, but Kokichi’s warm hand in his makes his answer a little obvious.
Still, Shuichi is overwhelmed with anxiety. What will Kirigiri-san think? What will the people think if they see him spending time with the criminal he’s supposed to be arresting?
“You’re worrying too much, Saihara-chan.” The thief, perceptive, senses his concern and offers a lighthearted laugh, the both of them still in their escape. “You’re not going to get fired, and I’m not going to hurt you.”
“But…”
“Just let go of your worries for tonight, okay?” Kokichi turns slightly to face him, a carefree grin on his face. “We can figure something out later.”
The detective worriedly scowls, but on his lips is the faintest smile. Perhaps it’s okay to take risks sometimes.