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Conan watched KID's glider grow smaller and smaller until it faded out of sight, feeling disgruntled. He was glad to have his gadgets back at least, but it wasn't fair for KID to keep giving him cryptic answers and disappearing. Especially when things had escalated so much...Conan recalled seeing Ran's worried face in the hospital and gritted his teeth. He was going to have to hunt down KID himself and demand more of an explanation from him it seemed.
Finding which building KID had chosen to land on was not as much of a hassle as Conan had originally thought it would be. KID wouldn't have flown too far with an injury like that, and he would have picked a more secluded place to land. The building was empty, so getting to the roof wasn't difficult either.
Sure enough, KID was on the roof, standing perfectly still. Conan took a step forward, mouth opening to call KID's name -
Only to abruptly freeze as KID spoke, although the words didn't seem to be directed at him.
"I - I'm just -" KID broke off, voice...his voice was shaking. As Conan stared in disbelief, his brain slowly registered KID had a cell phone pressed to his ear. Ah, he was talking to someone on the phone then.
"I got shot." KID eventually finished, and Conan carefully slunk back into the shadows of the rooftop. Maybe it was wrong of him to intrude on a private conversation, but hearing KID sound so exhausted...Conan didn't want to leave just yet.
"I managed to bandage it myself, yeah." KID said, probably answering a question about the status of his injury. "I think...I think everyone's in danger, I just - so much has happened..."
KID was...stammering? Conan's eyes widened in astonishment. He knew logically KID was only a human underneath the monocle, but still, to hear KID of all people sounding overwhelmed - it was jarring.
"You're busy with that big case, and I brought Tantei-kun with me..." KID ventured after a pause, sounding so unsure. Conan blinked, thoughts catching on KID's words. Busy with a big case? KID was talking to a detective? But who?
"I thought I could handle it. Then I got tasered, nearly drowned, that terrifying karate guy punched me in the stomach directly afterwards...am I losing my edge?" KID went on, still sounding so weak and weary.
KID was concerned he was losing his edge? Had his unsuccessful attempts at securing the jewel affected him that much? And KID had called Makoto terrifying, in a completely serious manner. KID was genuinely afraid of Makoto? Conan knew that punch had looked nasty, but to think KID had actually been afraid...
Conan then processed the rest of KID's words, eyes widening again. Tasered? Nearly drowned? When had that happened?
Suddenly recalling when KID picked him up after escaping Makoto, Conan swallowed. KID's suit had felt a little damp...he had thought it was from sweat at the time, but it was water. Which meant before running into Makoto, KID had been knocked out with a taser and left to drown...how all that happened Conan had no idea, but the fact that the thief had nearly died and said nothing to him was...concerning. Did KID really trust him that little?
Conan was abruptly pulled from his thoughts as KID let out a broken laugh, shaking slightly.
"What was I thinking. I smuggled Tantei-kun here in a suitcase! I kidnapped someone! And the only reason he's been backing me up is because he needs me to get back to Japan! I - I just...I wish you were here." KID's voice lowered to a whisper, and he sank to the ground, body language utterly defeated.
The only reason...Conan swallowed again. He had made that clear to KID, hadn't he? It was no wonder KID didn't trust him, at least not with his injuries...he genuinely believed the only reason Conan was helping him was because he wanted to get back to Japan. Conan had thought there was an understanding between them, that KID knew Conan would never admit there was another reason he was helping KID, even if there was...but then again, this explained so much, didn't it? KID hadn't just asked for his help, he had knocked him out and smuggled him across country borders. Conan had just assumed it was because KID had no concept of personal boundaries, but now...KID had honestly thought it was the only way Conan would help him, hadn't he? In fact KID still thought that way, judging by what KID was saying, although Conan could only hear his side of the conversation.
"They think I'm in America visiting my mother, remember? It's too risky." KID suddenly sighed, and Conan's attention snapped back to him. "I appreciate it though."
Conan had no idea who 'they' were, or what exactly KID was answering - maybe an offer of help?
"No more danger than I'm in with the Organization. I just needed someone to talk to." KID exhaled, voice trembling less than before. Conan froze in horror at those words, mind spinning.
The Organization? Surely...KID surely couldn't mean the Black Organization, the one Conan himself was fighting against...it couldn't be. But if it was...
Conan's hands clenched. This was something he needed to find out. It sounded like KID knew the Black Organization was dangerous, but if he didn't know the full extent - and if it wasn't the Black Organization, that meant there was another group out there that Conan wasn't aware of. There was no more time to reflect on what he had just learned however, because KID had started speaking again.
"You were sleeping, weren't you? I'm sorry if I woke you up."
That implied it was nighttime wherever the person KID was speaking to was as well. That eliminated some options...
"That's something to look forward to." KID's voice sounded lighter, and although Conan could only see the back of him, he could tell KID had lifted his head slightly, although he was still sitting on the rooftop. "Will you get me chocolate?"
Conan blinked. Clearly, KID had a far closer relationship with this person than he had initially realized. Maybe even...did the person know KID's identity behind the monocle as well? Although this did at least confirm his theory that KID had a sweet tooth.
"Yeah...that sounds good." KID's voice was returning to normal, although it still wasn't the smooth baritone Conan had come to associate with him. "They're, uh...they're trying to frame me for murder. But I'm not going to let them get away with it."
Hearing KID say that so plainly, without the usual smoke and mirrors, without the evasive language - Conan felt his irritation at the thief melt away. Looking back...he had started to think of KID as untouchable, no matter what had been thrown at him over the past couple days. Some part of him had thought KID somehow knew all the answers, knew what was going on, and just wasn't telling Conan - but that wasn't the case at all. KID himself wasn't entirely sure what was happening, but he was doing his best not to let it show. Being framed for murder...of course KID had to be stressed, Conan himself had deduced KID was most likely a teenager, right? A very capable teenager, but Conan was capable himself, and even he would be exhausted from being shot and framed for murder...not only that, but someone had also attempted to murder KID by tasering and drowning him, something which KID had thankfully escaped from, without any help. Conan's heart constricted slightly.
"I'll do my best..." KID's words were like a hum, and he briefly rocked from side to side, as if he were getting tired. He probably was tired. Had KID actually gotten a full night's rest since they arrived in Singapore?
"I took painkillers, so it doesn't hurt as much now. It's not the first time I've been shot." KID added, and his voice was so casual, so conversational that Conan was taken aback. It wasn't the first time he had been shot? With how normal KID sounded about it, it sounded like getting shot was almost a regular occurrence in KID's life, almost expected. Conan swallowed, remembering KID's earlier mention about an Organization. If KID really was being targeted by the Black Organization, or another group like it...he did have someone to watch his back, right? Maybe the person KID was talking to now -
KID actually snorted slightly, sounding amused. "If it makes you feel better, Saguru."
Conan went completely still, mind whirling in frantic circles. Saguru? As in Hakuba Saguru? Conan hadn't personally met him that many times, but he had heard plenty about the other detective...and KID was on a first name basis with him?
What, exactly, was their relationship then? Conan knew Hakuba regularly attended KID heists, but this was far beyond a detective-thief relationship...especially since KID had called him of all people when he was at his most vulnerable.
"On some building. No one can hear or see me right now." KID said, and much to Conan's relief, the phantom thief didn't look behind him. So KID really hadn't noticed his presence...with how out of it KID had to be from his injuries and painkillers though, Conan figured he wasn't at his best. Otherwise, KID surely would have noticed him.
"Yeah, it's in front of me. Why?"
Conan had no idea what KID was answering, but the thief tilted his head up, seemingly looking up at the full moon shining above them.
"Oh." KID said, voice brimming with fresh emotion. Conan shifted slightly. "So we're looking at the moon together, huh?"
Looking at the - what was KID's relationship with Hakuba? Even the term friendship didn't seem to properly describe what Conan was witnessing.
KID gave a weak laugh, still sounding emotional. "It's perfect for sneaking...and stargazing..."
Conan was once again lost, unsure of what KID was referring to. If only he could hear what Hakuba was saying on the other end -
KID had trailed off, but he suddenly spoke again, sounding so vulnerable -
"I miss home."
Those three words caused Conan's chest to constrict again. KID was...homesick? The idea seemed so absurd, but...KID really was just a teenager after all. Maybe it was time Conan started taking that into account with their interactions.
KID suddenly let out a choked sob, voice watery. "And I'm with you. I'll be back before either of us know it."
KID was...almost in tears? Was everything weighing on him that much, was KID that desperate to return home...evidently to Hakuba, although Conan still didn't understand why. He was starting to get a suspicion however...
"So I had better wrap this up soon so I can get back." Although KID's voice had a bit of a catch to it, Conan could hear the familiar spark returning. Whatever Hakuba was saying to him, it was working.
"Of course I can." KID's voice sounded stronger, and Conan held his breath as KID swept back to a standing position. "I'm Kaitou KID! And no matter what, I always win in the end."
At hearing the bright, determined strength return, Conan felt his lips turn slightly upwards. While at one point he would have loved to see KID get knocked down a peg...not like this. He wanted to outwit KID, yes, but he never wanted KID to sound that hopeless and defeated again.
"Ok, tell my doves I'll see them soon." Each one of KID's words rang with fresh determination. "I have some pirates and a business man to go spy on."
Wait what? Hakuba interacted with KID's doves? And what was KID planning to do -
KID laughed, this time the sound filled with life, and...was that fondness, Conan heard? "I'll explain later. I'll tell you everything when I get back."
Hakuba and KID really did have a close relationship then...could it be that they were -
"I know." KID's glider snapped open, and Conan slowly exhaled, watching the scene. "I'll talk to you again soon, Saguru. Stay safe."
Hakuba's first name again. Conan's eyes widened in astonishment, his suspicion all but confirmed. It sounded completely absurd, but Hakuba and KID must be -
Whatever Hakuba said in response to KID caused the thief to sputter, sounding almost flustered.
"Love you too!" KID managed at last, before pulling his phone away and hanging up, tucking it back into his jacket.
Conan debated reaching out, calling to KID to let him know he was there, but before he could even open his mouth, KID had taken a running leap off of the roof's edge, glider carrying him away.
Conan was left sitting alone on the rooftop, utterly dumbfounded as he considered what he had just learned. Hakuba and KID were dating. They were a - couple.
Hakuba, the prim and proper, snooty, rule-following detective...was dating Kaitou KID.
As Conan continued to sit there, mind spinning and whirling, only one coherent thought came to mind.
If Hattori knew about this he would lose his mind.