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The Suginami Municipal Museum was quiet as Shinichi checked the clock on the wall again. Kid was due to arrive any minute now, and his heart was racing. The thrill of the chase, and then, if he was lucky, time alone with the charming thief.
"That clock is three minutes fast," Hakuba said, walking out from the cluster of police officers. "I asked Inspector Nakamori to fix it, but said it wasn't important."
"Oh," Shinichi replied, more disappointment escaping him than he'd hoped to admit.
"You want to see him again, don't you?" Hakuba asked, his tone as flat and disinterested as usual.
"The intellectual challenge of a heist is a nice change of pace from murders," Shinichi said, only half lying.
"I really advise you not to want anything else," Hakuba replied.
Shinichi kept his mouth shut. Hakuba had tried to discourage him before. The other detective was straight laced and focused. In a way, Shinichi envied him, not feeling pulled by his heart to chase after a thief. A criminal.
But, they do say opposites attract, and the heart wants what it can't have. Who was Shinichi to deny his heart? As smart as he was, he was only human.
The task force had raced after a projection on a wall, led away from the real Kid. Shinichi had known better and headed up the stairs. Up for another rooftop encounter with the charming thief.
He found him there, silhouetted by the moonlight, looking ethereal in his flowing white cape in the dark. The thief paused from studying the gem, turning his way with that confident and charming smile.
"Detective. To what do I owe the pleasure tonight?" Kid asked, his voice as smooth as honey.
"I should be trying to arrest you," Shinichi replied, trying to keep himself calm as the thief sauntered his way.
"You won't, though," Kid said, pausing a metre or two away and leaning in.
Shinichi could smell him, thanks to the light wind blowing his way. An expensive cologne mixed with a little sweat.
Utterly intoxicating.
"I won't. I couldn't… you're the one who captured me," Shinichi replied, stepping forward himself, reaching for Kid's hand as the thief slipped out of reach.
"A-ah, Detective. I told you before, I am married to my work. There's no room in my heart for anything but my heists," Kid replied with a waggle of his finger.
"I could help you," Shinichi said, before realising it.
But, once he'd said it, he knew it was true. He was ready to break the law for love. He would even steal gems himself if Kid asked him. He was charmed completely.
"Now, now. Whatever would you family say if they found out," Kid replied, his tone playful again as he wore a scolding pout.
"My father would approve as I would still be using my brains, and my mother would approve of my following my heart," Shinichi replied. "Not that it would stop me if they disapproved."
"Mm," Kid said, walking a circle around Shinichi, staying out of reach as he examined him. "I will admit, having a detective on my side would be useful, so your proposal is tempting, but you don't want to get your hands dirty. Trust me. The law is not a line crossed lightly."
"I've bent the law before, for justice. I know your goals are honourable. Kid. Please. Let me help you, even if I could never have your heart," Shinichi said. Begged.
He'd asked before. At least a half dozen attempts, interrupted before he could convince Kid. He needed to reinforce his sincerity before—
"Kid!" Hakuba shouted, bursting the rooftop door open.
Interrupted. Again. His eyes shot to Kid, trying to plead silently.
"Ahh, the white stallion has arrived. Time for me to take my leave. Do keep the Midnight Ruby safe, Detective," Kid said, tossing the night's prize to Shinichi before leaping off the building.
Shinichi fumbled as he caught it, hands sweatier than he realised as he watched Kid glide away.
He could only stare, heart sinking again. Another failure. He could only hope he'd make Kid understand how he felt next time.
"You're not even pretending to try to arrest him now," Hakuba said, standing beside Shinichi.
"I didn't have the chance to try," Shinichi replied.
Hakuba let out a tired sigh. "Seriously, Kudo. You need to stop this. Kid isn't what—who you think he is."
"I've met him enough to know he's honourable, kind, and trustworthy," Shinichi said, turning to walk back into the museum.
"That's—" Hakuba began, before stopping and letting out a sigh.
Perhaps he'd finally accepted that Shinichi was in love and not to be swayed so easily.
Kaito took a deep breath after changing his clothes. Then he buried his face in his Kid uniform and screamed into the fabric, letting his poker face collapse. He hoped it was muffled enough no one would report it as he shoved the suit into the backpack and tucked it back behind the dumpster for Jii to pick up later.
'Why can't he just get the message?' Kaito thought to himself as he walked to the nearest subway station. 'Aren't detectives supposed to be good at figuring out clues?'
If Kudo did that again next heist… Kaito had half a mind to drop his poker face entirely and tell him off. But, that would be unprofessional. He had to stay in character as Kid.
Unfortunately 'in character' meant charming and playful at all times.
As Kaito paid to enter the subway on his spare transit card, a thought struck him and he pulled out his phone. Keiko had worked at WacDonald's during the summer break, and one of the customers had thought she was flirting with him with how she had to smile and be polite while working. He needed to find out how she'd gotten rid of that guy without breaking customer service mode. It should help his case.
After all, what was his poker face but an alternate version of customer service voice?