Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

He knew that infiltrating the organization was a dangerous mission.

It was necessary to eliminate the vermin that scuttled into his beloved country.

Bourbon was the perfect mask to quickly rise within one of the most important criminal organizations in the world.

Bourbon was manipulative, smart, and cunning. A person who used any means to get what he needed or wanted.

No one could know what was going through his head or what intentions he had.

Vermouth was similar to him.

From the first time he met her, he knew that things would not be easy. They both noticed that there was something wrong with the other.

And finally they grabbed the tail of the most important secrets for each one.

They threatened each other. But at the same time . . . they trusted.

Maybe that's how it all started.

Bourbon, the fake bottle of wine that was no longer needed. And with him, the nice and perfect Toru Amuro too.

They disappeared.

Only Rei remained, a member of the public security who eventually; as Vermut predicted, he had become the biggest threat to the top brass of the police and state.

It was ironic.

No one seemed to care about all his merits, even if his friends knew they couldn't have done anything.

This was Japan. He couldn't be like Akai and get away with it.

He could have chosen to die voluntarily, while patriotism for the island country still remained. He hadn't wanted to run.

If not for that "unfortunate" encounter with his old colleague.

He wouldn't have found a reason to go on living.

"Daddy. What are you thinking about?"

"In the past. It seems I've become melancholic again."

With a cold breeze, the leaves of red and yellow colors covered almost the entire yard. The little girl put the picture book down on the table before sitting down next to her father. Watching how autumn began to paint the landscape of the island again.

Zero stopped looking to pick up the curious girl and sit her on his lap. She leaned into him happily.

"Are we doing Halloween pumpkins this year, too?"

"You seem excited. I thought you didn't want to celebrate that scary date again."

He chuckled a little when he noticed the little pout. And lightly touched the tip of his nose that had turned red. "You want to eat pumpkin candy. Right little glutton."

"Not true. I just want to show my brothers that I'm not afraid of pumpkin monsters."

"Since she's not afraid of them, we can decorate the inside of the house as well. Your brothers will be more than happy to help us with the decoration."

The girl trembled a little with fear, but in order not to appear weak, she boasted that she was not afraid and that she would also help with the decorations. Zero laughed but noticing his daughter's almost tearful expression he gently comforted her.

"Don't worry, you know your mother doesn't like to let 'grotesquely shaped things' invade her fancy living room."

"I remember. Mommy got really upset that Near and Noah put cobwebs and fake spiders all over the couch."

"Don't think I don't know, Shelly. Pushing others to accept blame isn't good."

"Not even when they willingly accepted it...ACHUU"

"No. Let's go back inside before you get a cold and your mother is going to be mad at both of us."

The interior of the house was elegant, but still warm and welcoming.

His guests always said that it was thanks to the good taste of the couple that an almost abandoned like that had become one of the most beautiful on the island.

Although Zero had other opinions, it wasn't just the good taste of the decoration, but that everything inside the house had a value comparable to almost a year's salary of the highest paid on the island.

His darling wife Vanessa couldn't stand items that didn't express luxurious and high-end. Zero had managed to convince her to choose the more modest ones to match her foreign family cover that had just moved to Japan.

After all, if she brought the gold-plated bathtub with her, there would be suspicions about her status as a mere English teacher. And as for Zero, they wouldn't believe that after opening the cafeteria they would be able to stabilize themselves financially enough.

Why to begin with? They had come to start over after losing everything.

Now that was his third year living in that place.

They were able to allow themselves more liberties from the middle of the second year, they not only expanded the house but they were able to allow themselves to design every part of the house.

If there was something they weren't missing. It was money.

They want to or not. The money they amassed throughout their criminal lives was enough to frugally live 10 lifetimes.

Everything by hand. Unfortunately it seemed that his old colleague still had the sense to delegate the most annoying things to him.

Zero couldn't deny Vanessa's good work at the time of furnishing the rooms and almost everything visible in the house. Vanessa's taste pretty much matched her aesthetic.

But the most important thing for both. And something his entire perfect family agreed on. It was the beautiful garden that surrounded the small villa in which Vivian lived.

At first the vegetation formed by years of neglect had consumed everything around. Obviously they both couldn't let that disastrous weed ruin the aesthetics of the house, so they reached an agreement to plant whatever they decided.

Zero was practical and created a small vegetable garden, while planting fruit trees in some beautifying spots. At first it was laborious to care for, but with the technology at hand there wasn't much to worry about.

Vanessa had decided to make a flower garden, with tulips, roses, poppies, lilies and in turn aromatic herbs.

As for what. Zero didn't care.

Their little sons had also helped. Noah and Near helped their father grow tomatoes and pickles.

While Shelly helped her mother water the flower bushes.

It was one of the first activities they were able to enjoy in their short year as a family.

Unfortunately, almost all the work was wasted when, after a vacation in France, they found the entire garden covered in sunflowers. And although at the beginning they had both challenged defiantly, seeking to provoke the other to confess.

Their little fight didn't last long.

The neighbors will inform them that the discarded bushes that were originally sunflowers and that now that they had cleaned them they grew rampantly returning to the optimal state in which they were when the house was in its prime.

Good heavens. Zero did not expect that the happy house of sunflowers was not only referring to the name of the owner, but literally a house surrounded by sunflowers.

It was his mistake, he admitted. And although he regrets his beloved orchard, I look for an alternative solution.

In the short time they had decided what to do, the children had grown fond of the beautiful sight. Even Vanessa enjoyed making outfits inspired by them. Zero also couldn't help but take them all for a picnic among the beautiful and cheerful flowers, enjoying watching the children play and laugh.

Shelly in a beautiful white dress embroidered with yellow flowers ran happily while her brothers tried to put a hat on her.

Noah pinned up his blonde hair with some flower clips that his sister put on it. And Near refused to look like his twin brother while covering his head with the hat that he wanted to give to his sister earlier.

"I never imagine myself in a scene like this."

"It's strange, I'm sure I've been to more beautiful places before."

"It's unfortunate that unlike me you never had the courage to leave your dear love. But honestly I didn't expect much from a patriot."

"I also didn't expect that the beloved chief's granddaughter would not be true to her legacy."

"If I had a gun now I could have shot you."

"You won't. This little secret has long since held no value to you . . . and even if I hurt him you've grown cowardly . . . to let your little happiness dissipate."

"How hypocritical of you . . ."

"Touche . . ."

Vanessa finished weaving the crown of small sunflowers and called the three children. Putting one each. She then shook her short blonde hair to remove the petals that had fallen into her hair.

Zero noted that she seemed to miss her long golden hair.

With a camera in hand, Zero took photos that he would later print and hang on the walls of the house. Opportunities to appear to be the perfect family that they were, the smiles of the three children and the true smile of Vanessa, should not be missed.

Zero also entered the photo. Between Vanessa and him were the two children who were an exact copy of him. And in the center of them was Shelly who was an exact copy of her mother.

This little family was his reason for living.

That day three years ago, I was hiding the miracle that I embraced tightly.

He was sure Vanessa thought the same way.

He was no longer the perfect boy Amuro. It wasn't the ruthless Bourbon. Nor was he the patriotic Furuya.

It was Zero Allen. The father of three beautiful children. Vanessa's perfect husband. The owner of a popular coffee shop.

He lived his perfect life in this beautiful house of sunflowers.

He couldn't ask for more than that.

No matter how false it seems.

Chapter Text

Vermouth had many “faces”.

From the famous Broadway actress, Sharon Vineyard.

Even his fake daughter Chris Vineyard.

Even before learning Kaito Kid's amazing costume technique.

Hasn't your life just been about pretending to be someone else?

Life in the Organization was always dangerous, even when it was considered the "boss's" favorite.

One wrong step could lead to death.

Life taught him that he couldn't be honest with anyone.

Not with his subordinates, not with his co-workers and much less with his grandfather.

Could you even consider it more than just a useful tool?

Beyond the code name Vermouth that identified her more than her own name?

That question had been so important to her in the beginning.

But over time it stopped making sense.

Bourbon was similar to her.

The mask of a ruthless person committed to the organization, who behind his back planned how to destroy it.

They had both noticed each other's natures almost instinctively.

They both promised to remain silent. Vermouth had to trust.

For her the problem was not wondering who she is.

But. Where does it belong?

Was there really a place where he could be his true self?

And for, above all.

Did his “true self” still exist?

“Teacher Vanessa, do you think that with these costumes we can get more candy?”

"I'm sure. They look so lovely.”

The girls' laughter echoed in the classroom, the beautiful blonde woman watched as the girls ran to their parents to show them their dresses. She picked up the sewing set and organized her things to return home.

“Thank you very much, I haven't seen my daughter so happy in a long time. The costumes are so pretty and look so professional. “I can’t believe that simple fabric could be turned into an outfit like that.”

"It's true. “If it weren't for the fact that I know her, I could have mistaken her for a designer.”

Vanessa smiled back at them, and seemed flattered as she joked with the parents. After a few minutes the parents left with their children, they hurriedly closed the room and went to the library.

That fall afternoon the school was silent. He had taken longer than expected, greeting staff members from time to time as he arrived at his destination. He opened the door gently to confirm if there was anyone else inside and entered carefully.

A few shelves over from the children's section, he saw two identical children searching for books in a higher section. With the help of a chair, one of the twins climbed up while the other held him. They were so focused that they didn't notice when a woman fell behind them.

“Did you find what you were looking for?”

“AHHHH.”

“AHHHH.”

The scream of both children echoed in the silent library, Vanessa with quick reflexes supported the child who was about to fall. Both twins looked at her with accusatory eyes.

Vanessa just laughed knowingly as she took out the book they both wanted to take out.

“Don't look at me like that. It was a bit of fun all right. Her scream was very adorable.”

"Mother!"

"It's not fair."

“You always take us by surprise. Why can’t we hear your footsteps?”

“It's because I'm a professional. There is no one who can discover me when I want to go unnoticed.”

The pout on the twins' faces grew, but they obediently took the book while receiving pats on the head.

"Is not true."

“Dad can.”

"TRUE."

"TRUE."

Remembering her husband, Vanessa remembered that they had to get home as quickly as possible if they wanted to make it in time for dinner. They hadn't done the shopping yet and helping their students with their costumes had taken up a lot of their time.

“Well, let's hurry up if we want to get home on time.”

“Boo Boo Mom is ignoring us again.”

“I knew it, mom doesn't like to lose.”

Vanessa felt a vein pop on her forehead, and she squeezed her children in a tight hug. While muttering that “Zero was an exception.”

“ Could you stop trying to surprise me. Your silent steps make my nerves stand on end.”

“You are very attentive. That's good. Life here may be quiet, but don't get so used to it. You will never know when you will need to be on your guard again.”

“It is better than your Vermouth. You don’t need to repeat it to me.”

“. . . “You were cuter when you simply followed my orders.”

“A shame. I guess."

“It would be great if you left the sarcasm aside.”

"I'm sorry. “I thought it was one of the things you loved about me.”

“This bastard.”

The lively boys enjoyed teasing her the rest of the way to the supermarket.

So you have no choice but to remove chocolate and honey cereals from the list. He ignored the children's demands as he replaced the box of cereal with one of unsweetened corn flakes.

The most hated brand of children.

Noah complained as he glared at the cereal box.

Near simply accepted his fate and dragged his brother towards another section of the hallway.

But what could be done, she also had to educate her children when they were too complacent with themselves. Of course he pretended not to look when they both put out a fresh batch of smuggled ice cream.

With everything on the list, they picked up the Halloween decorations they had ordered made and returned home. Looking out the car window, Vanessa had a feeling of longing as she saw a large house surrounded by sunflowers in the distance.

She hoped days like these would last forever.

When had all this started?

Oh. It was that day three years ago.

When he found his former subordinate in a disreputable bar.

When a magical gift changed their lives forever.

Now there was a place where she could be called only Vanessa Carter.

She was a modest English teacher who loved designing children's clothing.

She was Zero Allen's perfect wife.

She was the mother of three beautiful children.

She had given up all the faces that linked her to her former self.

She was happy to belong to this home.

No matter how false it was.

Chapter Text

Noah admits that this time, his brother was to blame.

Not just "some of the blame," but all of it.

But for now, he sees no way out of this mess.

How did it all begin?

Exactly one week ago, his friends invited him and his twin to a sleepover. It was a fun night, but their friend’s mom only allowed them to watch a boring movie. Nothing exciting.

The story was about a boy who got separated from his parents at the airport and ended up alone in New York, staying at a luxurious hotel and enjoying all sorts of luxuries. Until, of course, he ran into the same thieves he had sent to jail in the previous movie.

After chases, new friends, and adventures, the boy started longing for home. He wished to see his mother again… and, as if by magic, she appeared at that very moment.

The movie wasn’t the problem.

The problem was that they both found the idea of going off the grid of parents—just once—way too tempting.

For Noah, it was just a passing thought, a fleeting fantasy. But he never expected his brother to be captivated by it.

And today, three days before Christmas, he discovered his brother's betrayal.

Noah still doesn’t know exactly how he did it, but somehow, he managed to:

Knock him out.

Swap their boarding passes.

Steal their father’s wallet.

Distract their mother.

And take the wrong train to somewhere in Tokyo.

They were lost.

If they were normal kids, this problem could be solved easily. They could just go to a police station, where a kind officer would call their parents and—voilà! Problem solved.

But their family is far from normal.

In fact, they have too many problems.

That’s exactly why, hours ago, they found a payphone… and chose not to call their parents.

Noah is afraid that if they do, their dad will pick up the phone, get in a car, and drive like a Formula 1 racer to find them. And the longer they wait, the angrier they’ll be.

Besides, the means of travel to New York wasn't exactly legal. Right now, they could be anywhere. If we contact the police, Dad's identity could be exposed.

Noah doesn't know exactly what happened between public safety and his dad. But it shouldn't be anything good.

Things wouldn't have been so bad either. If a group of nosy kids under the name "Junior Detective League" hadn't tried to make a big deal out of their problem. So far, the language barrier excuse has worked wonders.

"Sorry, I don't speak Japanese. I'm a tourist from the United States."

But that won't last forever.

He and his brother are sitting in a café called Poirot. And for some strange reason, the cafe employee keeps staring at them. Is it because I have something on my face?

I really wish Near would react a little. The brat used all his cunning and intelligence to escape from Mom and Dad. Now he looks stupid enough for trying to eat noodles with a spoon. And out of embarrassment, he escaped to the bathroom about 5 minutes and 13 seconds ago.

The mini detectives in front of us are a little smart. At least they realized our problem wasn't as simple as being lost. I'm sure that skinny kid already realized we understand Japanese perfectly, since he used a Japanese wordplay to get my brother's attention.

But since we're done eating, they have no reason to detain us any longer.

They know that if they insist, they'll get into trouble.

But my brother and I wasted a lot of time. It's getting dark, if Near and I walk this late we'll definitely be stopped by a policeman.

And then… as if things weren’t bad enough…

A young man with brown hair and piercing blue eyes walks into the café.

Noah’s eyes widen in shock.

Kudo Shinichi.

The one person he should never get close to.