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Light streamed through the closed blinds, only a sliver left open to softly illuminate the room. The walls were painted a soft blue, the ceiling was colored white, and the floor was covered in white carpet. In the corner there was a closet filled with clothes that both complemented and contrasted each other, with a vanity pushed up against the wall next to it.
A window sat on the emptiest side of the room accompanied by a hanging seat filled with pillows. On the right, a small bookshelf filled with books and some stacked on top of it. In the middle of the room lay a queen sized bed with messed up white sheets, white fluffy blankets and multiple fluffy pillows and plushies that were strewn about the bed and occasionally on the floor.
Laying under the covers was a man with long, messy, purple hair, pale skin and a short stature (no taller than 5’4). He shifted softly, turning onto his other side as he slept soundly and without disruption. Completely at peace in his dreams and safe in his bed as a sweet scent floated into the room through his ajar, mahogany door.
Kokichi fluttered open his tired, purple eyes.
He didn’t immediately sit up. He felt around the sheets for a moment, looking for something that should be there, but wasn’t. He narrowed his eyes in slight dissatisfaction, his eyes zeroed in on the ceiling above him, but instead of seeing a gray slab of metal that promised him death, he saw splashes of color. Doodles and full fledged drawings covered the whole ceiling, barely any bit of it was left blank.
Kokichi rubbed the sleep from his eyes as he slid out of bed. He shuffled to the dresser, opening it and pulling out a pair of pink joggers, slipping them on and deciding to not bother putting on a shirt.
He wanted to go into the kitchen to find where the sweet smell was coming from, but he thought it best to go into the bathroom first to try and wake himself up more. Kokichi made his way into the bathroom, slightly grimacing at the feeling of cold tiles underneath his bare feet.
The bathroom was fully white and spacious, with a bathtub, a sink, and a toilet. He stopped in front of the sink, turning on the tap and splashing cold water on his face. Kokichi looked up into the large, circular mirror, watching as the water ran down the soft cheekbones of his cherubic face and to the tip of his sharp chin, dripping consistently into the sink and down the drain.
His purple eyes looked more awake now, opening completely to show off their big size and sharp shape. Water droplets clung to his small lashes, he blinked them off and examined himself again.
From the top of his head to his waist that was cut off at the end of the mirror. It’s been years since that game; years since he’s seen a school like that one, years since he saw death looming just above him.
Years since that show ended.
He looked much older, healthier even. His skin didn’t look deathly pale, instead it was flushed with color, his ribs didn’t protrude his thin frame, he was much leaner and strong looking, but not overly muscular, not to mention he was taller now. Seeing himself like this, it was almost odd to think that he didn’t always look like this, he was so used to it now, that it was strange to think about.
Comparing himself in the present to who he was in the past was almost jarring, but it wasn’t uncommon. The ex-leader absentmindedly twirled his hair around his pointer finger. Maybe he should cut it? It goes about to his shoulders now, he frequently puts it up in a ponytail to keep it off his neck, but he doesn’t really mind, he could probably just leave it.
It’s been years since he died, but the scars were still there.
The multitude of scars littered his body in random places. Most of them looked like he was stabbed by something jagged, and it wasn’t necessarily a wrong assumption. The other set of scars were just thin lines going down his arms and legs, much cleaner and less visible than the rest, but they were still there. There were some newer ones, but they didn’t have any real significance to him.
Kokichi let out a closed mouth sigh, closing his eyes for a moment before opening them and leaving the bathroom, turning off the light and making his way to the kitchen.
As he walked through the halls, he examined them. Two shelves on each side of the wide hallway filled with a few books and random things. The shelves had handmade ornaments made of string hanging on their edges with blue and purple charms on them and designs etched into their sides. The dark oak floor was polished and shiny under his feet and the blue walls were covered in childish drawings and different framed photos.
Kokichi walked into the living room that was covered in fluffy carpet much like the bedroom, but its color was a light beige instead of white. There was a dark red couch in the center of the room with two, small black pillows on each end and a thin blanket folded and thrown over its headrest, with two matching chairs on the opposite sides of it. In front of it was a simple granite coffee table with a white, flower designed vase full of plastic purple roses on its surface with unlit, scented candles on either side.
The walls were the same color as the ones in the hallway and had those same doodles, but only lining the bottom of the walls. A flat screen Tv hung on the wall in front of the couch with a stand just below it with a console and video game and movie disk neatly stacked into separate piles.
Kokichi let his gaze wander further back into the kitchen. The kitchen had an open space that looked akin to a bar, it had stools with black cushioned seats as well. The cabinets and cupboards were made of oak that gleamed in the light that shone through the window, but the scenery wasn’t what caught his attention. No, it was the person who stood in the kitchen.
Shuichi stood there; his navy, shoulder length hair was tied back and pinned up. His slightly tanned skin was bathed in the sunlight shining through the window in front of him, making his skin glow in the natural light.
He had on a baby purple apron, a gray tank top and black pants. Kokichi watched fondly as the detective whisked the bowl of batter, slightly biting his lip in concentration. Kokichi tiptoed into the kitchen, quietly making his way up behind the detective with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
No matter how many years pass, Kokichi would never pass up the chance to give his beloved a startle.
He wrapped his arm tightly around Shuichi’s waist without warning, making the other male give an odd combination between terrified yelp and a surprised squeal. The ex-detective flailed when Kokichi leaned back and the batter on the whisk was splattered around wildly (although it wasn’t much). He lifted him off the floor by a few inches as he burst into laughter. Shuichi always makes the oddest sounds. But this was definitely a new one!
Shuichi relaxed quickly upon recognizing that laughter, he let out a relieved sigh and slightly turned around to face the other. “Good morning, Kokichi.” He greeted the liar fondly. Kokichi snickered and smiled at him, letting him stand on the ground once again, resting his chin on Shuichi’s shoulder.
Kokichi took his time to admire the other. From his long, fluttering lashes, to his sharp jawline; Kokichi traced his small nose with his gaze watching as his cheeks became a rosy color. His full lips were slightly bitten but remained their tulip pink color.
“Kokichi?” Said man looked the other in the eyes for a moment, half expecting him to look away, and yet he didn’t, he only gave him a confused look. To think his beloved had come so far, where he no longer shied away from a familiar gaze, with unfamiliar ones he wasn’t as uncomfortable anymore even if it meant that every now and then he would close his eyes to avoid looking, it was still a lot of progress for someone like him.
“Nishishi~ What? Can I not look at my beloved anymore?” Shuichi blushed lightly in embarrassment (It never gets old) before he turned back around to focus on his current task with a fond huff. Kokichi tightens his grip on Shuichi’s waist for a moment before relaxing.
Comparing the past to the present; Shuichi used to be much thinner and weaker looking, shyer, less alive. Kokichi himself acted more alive after the game despite having died. Now, his body filled out and with Kaito's still constant training, he built up some muscle over the years, but it seemed he couldn’t build up anymore. He looked so colorful now, more energetic and livelier, it was a clear difference from the past.
Kokichi looked down into the bowl of batter that was being mixed with a whisk held by delicate hands. It was a bright shade of pink and its texture was smoothing out the more Shuichi mixed, but he was mixing it much too roughly.
Kokichi grabbed his hand to stop him, startling the detective once more. “You are being much too rough, Mon amour.” He said, starting to slowly mix the batter again, keeping a steady and gentle rhythm.
The ex-leader peered up at his love once again and giggled at the flustered pink on his pouting cheeks. Kokichi let go and stepped back. He eyed the cookbook that was placed in front of the window, the page held instructions on how to make a three-tier strawberry and chocolate cake. Kokichi turned to open the fridge and grab the strawberries in it.
“So what’s Saihara-chan trying to make a cake for?” Kokichi asked, although he could already guess what Shuichi’s answer would be, he asked for the fun of it.
“If I answer, will you tell me how you seem to know the basics of cake baking?” He shot back playfully. Kokichi hummed in thought as he grabbed a knife from its stand and laid out a cutting board.
“But that’s boring! I’d much rather we play a game!” He said with a peppy tone in his voice, “How about we both try and guess the answers to our questions and whoever gets it right first has to make the loser give them a present!”
Shuichi pondered on this for a moment before inevitably agreeing. “Alright, on the count of three?” He suggested making Kokichi grin. “Same time? My, my, detective, it seems like you’re a bit confident, doesn't it?” He teased the other.
Shuichi scoffed, deciding to play along to the impromptu roleplaying. “Maybe it does seem so, dear thief.” Kokichi turned towards him as Shuichi did the same. An air of playfulness shining in both of their eyes.
“3.”
“2.”
“1.”
“You learned it for Jack at a young age.”
“You’re making it for Kayayday’s wedding!”
The two stared at each other for a few moments before dissolving into laughter. They were both more than aware that they were right to some extent, they just found something about this funny, though they aren’t sure what about.
Kokichi watched his lover laugh. The way his smile showed off all his pearly white teeth and stretched his lips giddily, his eyebrows raising up high into his hairline and his hair would bounce in every direction, to how his eyes would crinkle up and turn into half moons, only a sliver of that gray-gold Kokichi loved so much could be seen.
He remembered a time where Shuichi would never laugh like this. He would smile softly and chuckle, but never laugh that boisterous rumble, then there was a time where he wouldn’t smile for weeks on end, only frowning softly as he worked hard to be with everyone, never even giving up his breath-taking giggles.
But he could do it now.
And it was still a mystifying experience for Kokichi, because it all feels like it wasn’t even that long ago. Or maybe he’s just getting old.
When they calmed down, the aftermath of their laughter could still be seen through the upturned creases in Shuichi’s smile and through the dimples still visible on Kokichi’s cheeks. It never seemed to truly go away anymore.
“Aw~ Beloved you think too highly of me! I would never learn to bake just for a henchman of mine.” Kokichi said nonchalantly, going back to evenly cutting the strawberries with his knife. Shuichi shook his head and began searching the cabinet for some tools.
“I suppose I’m being just a little presumptuous, and it was only a coincidence that Jack has had an impossible to handle sweet tooth since a young age and you seem to have quite the experience with a whisk.” Shuichi replied simply. Kokichi knew he probably hadn’t told him all of the evidence, he wanted to know exactly what was going on in his beloved’s lovely brain.
“Hm? And how do you know I’m not skilled in its use only to whisk you away from your work late at night, eh detective?” Kokichi hummed coyly. The line was definitely really cheesy (probably a little suggestive too-), but it did exactly what he wanted it to, watching enraptured in the blush that enveloped his cheeks as he reached up and tugged at his hair, accidentally getting some batter in it.
It was almost surreal seeing him not immediately reach for a hat no longer on his head.
“Jack always told me about a ‘mysterious robin hood’. Who would place a little cupcake with purple frosting and a crown on it every afternoon? Not to mention how everyone else besides Jack seems to be afraid to go into the kitchen when you’re in there, and it would explain all of the baking materials slowly appearing in our house that used to be in the lair.”
Ah, his beloved was so smart. All that evidence that didn’t even seem relevant helped him piece together a whole story that was almost completely accurate. What a beauty to admire.
“Gasp! It can’t be! My secret identity has been exposed, bare and naked for all to see!” Kokichi cried in theatrical dread, gripping his chest and throwing his other hand over his forehead dramatically. Shuichi yelped, reaching out a hand to stop Kokichi’s hand from reaching his forehead. The purplenette blinked, looking at his hand and seeing the knife still in it. “Huh.” He didn’t even realize he was still holding it, he was too distracted to even notice. It wouldn’t really be the first time though.
“Kokichi! You have to be careful.” Shuichi chided, worry was clear in his voice and his eyes. Those eyes that Kokichi only wanted on him. Worrying over him, examining him, loving him. Kokichi put down the knife, grabbed Shuichi’s cheeks (he gave such an adorably confused expression), and placed two kisses on his eyelids, and then another two just under his eyes.
God, he loved those eyes.
Shuichi remained confused, but he smiled at him anyway. He didn’t bother trying to figure it out, he only returned the affection by placing two kisses on the corners of Kokichi’s mouth, took both his hands and placed two more on both his ring fingers.
Having his attention dragged to it, he couldn’t help but stare at the silver wedding ring on his left ring finger.
The royal blue gem in its center was eye-catching and majestic, and it reminded the ex-leader of a time where the scar underneath it looked bare and plain, but now it was pretty and dressed for a lovely life.
This was definitely his favorite scar.
Kokichi looked back up to his beloved and grinned, “Well? Why don’t you tell me what you’re up to here, dear husband?” He said cheekily. The blush it got from Shuichi was worth it (as always) even if he scoffed and looked away. Kokichi was glad that it never became any harder to make his love flustered; he didn’t know what he’d do if Shuichi ever became immune to it.
“I thought I was your detective?” Shuichi said with the slightest pout. The comment caught Kokichi slightly off-guard. He was used to Shuichi being a bit more proud about his detective skills, he had years to get used to it and he was, but sometimes he can’t help but be shocked when he says something positive about it outright, especially if Kokichi is teasing him.
“Nehehe~ Of course you are! But I got married to you so I could give another nickname, so deal with it.” He said, pressing a kiss to Shuichi’s nose. This made the detective scrunch up his face and wipe at his nose.
Kokichi gasped in offense to the action, giving the other the cold shoulder as he scooped the strawberries he cut up into a bowl he retrieved from the dishwasher. Kokichi grabbed the bowl, opened the fridge and put the strawberries inside, closing it as a pair of strong, yet gentle arms encircled his waist.
Kokichi paid it no mind, instead opting to start making the whipped cream. “Kichi? I’m sorry? Forgive me? Please?” Kokichi only continued to ignore the other, taking out the carton of milk and washing off the whisk.
“I can tell you about what I was doing earlier, give you hugs and kisses too. Don’t ignore me, Ko.” Shuichi mumbled (He always refuses to admit it when he’s whining but he clearly is), burying his face into purple locks of hair and kissing the top of his head as he followed Kokichi around the kitchen.
Kokichi only continued to ignore the other who clung to him so tightly. It wasn’t so much for spite anymore, as it was to make Shuichi hug him for longer. They were both very physically affectionate, but people would think that neither of them really like touching people due to how Kokichi only touches people when he’s teasing them and Shuichi seems to avoid it all together; but they are very wrong.
Kokichi had just finished putting the batter in the oven; he moved to tend to the whipped cream but found himself unable to move any further. Shuichi buried his face into the ex-leader’s shoulder blade with a grip strong enough to keep him in place.
Kokichi sighed, but that sigh turned into a giggle as feather light kisses were littered on his shoulder. The ticklish feeling inched through his body quickly as he began to squirm against the other’s hold futilely.
Shuichi nuzzled more into the smaller, sighing contentedly as he leaned into the warmth of Kokichi’s body. Kokichi knew that Shuichi adored his small frame, he never explained why, he only knew that he did. He guessed he’d figure it out eventually.
“You may lie a lot, but you can’t hide the warmth of your hands.”
Kokichi held back a fond smile at the memory as he laced his fingers into Shuichi’s, said man gave no protest and reciprocated quickly. “You’re oddly affectionate this morning, Saihara-chan!” Kokichi teased lightly, which only gained him a huff.
“You’re oddly accepting of it, if it bothers you so much, stop me.” Shuichi stated as he rested his face on his shoulder in a way that would let Kokichi be able to turn and look at him, and the offer to see him was accepted without fuss. Shuichi’s sudden bursts of confidence, Kokichi was no stranger to. Doesn’t mean he was anymore used to them.
“Eh!? Don’t I always accept your love? It’d be a crime to deny it now!” It sounded like a lie, but Kokichi knew that Shuichi could tell it wasn’t. If the way he made no move to leave or deny any loving actions given to him said anything about it.
It must be hard to deal with him, really. Always lying, always teasing, joking, getting into trouble, always antagonizing people and himself, and yet Shuichi stayed. He stayed so long. If Kokichi were him, he wouldn’t have been able to last an hour, he wouldn’t ever survive 7 years of his nonsense.
It was so much work just to keep up with him. It’s what he used to think, but Shuichi could follow. Shuichi could tread behind him, walk beside him or sometimes run infront of him if he wanted to. Kokichi was more than aware of this, so was Shuichi, and yet he always let Kokichi set his pace.
He was slow, and Shuichi was patient; there was no need to walk in front or behind one another if they looked so perfect walking side-by-side.
Kokichi could’ve moved, he would’ve if he wanted to. But he had no reason to and was more than comfortable enough to settle into the taller’s snuggling embrace. He rested his back against Shuichi’s chest, taking a deep breath and sighing deeply.
“We should probably finish that cake.” Shuichi muttered after a few minutes. Kokichi whined about having to do more ‘work’, but he complied. He didn’t actually think of baking as some sort of hassle, in truth, he enjoyed it quite a bit. He enjoys it, especially when he bakes with music playing in the background and has the kitchen all to himself.
Soon enough, the two got to work. Shuichi made the frosting and Kokichi decided he would use sliced strawberries as the toppings, along with putting some aside to put in the actual cake. Just as a personal touch.
They made conversation as they worked. Shuichi talked about the next volume of a book he has been writing for a while, saying how it was almost finished. Shuichi was a surprisingly good writer and often published mystery novels. He was only starting to become well known, but Kokichi could tell that he had quite the passion for writing. Kokichi himself read those books and he sure loved them.
So, for a while, Kokichi listened to Shuichi talk, which was very rare since Kokichi was mostly the person to do all the talking, but he's learned to listen too, maybe not as good as Shuichi, but he was pretty damn good at it.
Not to mention, Shuichi has gotten so much better at speaking his thoughts and being less afraid to say what's on his mind. Kokichi admired him for his growth, even himself he looks at with pride for overcoming his own bad traits and habits, and learning to love the parts of himself that he once hated.
It probably had something to do with time passing by and healing mental scars or maturing and learning to let go, but he felt it better to give the credit to Shuichi.
Shuichi was the person who showed him the good about himself. It of course took a long while, but everything Kokichi liked about himself now was because Shuichi loved that part of him more. If Shuichi saw good in someone or something, then Kokichi had no reason to doubt him, and that may seem like blind trust but Kokichi's seen it in everything he's done.
He saw it in his friends, in people who couldn't see it themselves, those who believed none of his words and people who already knew. He's seen it in different parts of life, from the dreary rain to the burning sun. It's not often that he's wrong, even if he is, there was still something there that only he could see.
Kokichi doesn't trust a lot of people, but there's no one in this world he could trust more than Shuichi, not even himself.
Kokichi could feel himself getting slightly emotional. He really shouldn't be thinking of such things; his beloved's beautiful qualities always brought him to tears.
So, when they put the batter in the oven, Kokichi wasted no time spinning around, pulling Shuichi into a deep kiss. Shuichi squeaked, unprepared for the sudden affection, but he kissed back happily and suddenly, Kokichi felt as though he was falling in love all over again.
Shuichi's kisses always did this to him, but he could never get over the feeling of falling in love again through a kiss. Behind his eyes, the memories of their lives, all the way from the beginning played on repeat, and his feelings followed the pattern.
Kokichi hugged Shuichi tightly, leaning him back, flat against the counter just to feel every inch of his love. Shuichi followed his lead without question, and that blind trust made Kokichi's heart flutter even more. Why, oh why did he have to be so perfect? Why did Shuichi have to be the angel made just for him?
When Kokichi pulled away, he smiled lovingly at the red flush overtaking Shuichi's face as he stuttered out questions. Kokichi could only bring himself to kiss him more. There was nothing more he could ever want to do at this moment.
…Actually, there was one thing he wanted to do.
Kokichi pulled away again and lifted Shuichi off the counter. Shuichi instinctually wrapped his legs around Kokichi's waist and put his hands on his shoulders.
"K-Kokichi-"
"Let's get married again."
Shuichi sputtered at the bold proposal. "A-Again!? What do you mean?" He asked in confusion. Kokichi smiled wide as a plan started to form in his head.
"Two months from now, I'll propose since you did it last time. We'll get married again!" Kokichi exclaimed excitedly. "C-can you even do that? Is it even legal for a married couple to marry again?" Shuichi asked, at least he was considering it.
"Then we'll divorce and marry again!" Kokichi suggested as he walked to the couch and sat down. Shuichi gave him a puzzled expression.
"Please, Shumai! I just want to marry you again and again and again, so let's start now!" Shuichi blushed at the claim, but he put a hand over his mouth in thought, making Kokichi's eyes light up.
"...Find out if it's legal to do that first." Shuichi said after a minute. Kokichi couldn't help himself, he was just so excited that he had to kiss his love again.
He kissed Shuichi and didn't stop until they were interrupted by the beep of the oven about thirty minutes later. Kokichi bounced up to go and check the cake, leaving Shuichi dazed and blushing on their couch.
Kokichi really hoped that those two months would come and go quickly, he might not have the patience if he had to wait that long.
But he would do anything for his beloved. A little waiting was the least of what he could do.