Chapter Text
“Kuroba, it’s been days since you last talked,” Kaito ignored him.
“The doctor said the therapy and rehab can help you so how about you give it a try? I’m sure you’ll be better” This time Kaito clenched his bed sheet. He would be better. What a joke. Even the doctor wasn’t sure if he could gain his old strength. How could he do magic if his both legs were not functioning properly? How could he became a magician if he was like this?
He wanted to laugh at his life right now.
“I-I know it’s hard to accept it. I understand it but–!” And that’s the last thing Shinichi said to him before he snapped and sat up.
“You understand nothing about how I’m feeling!” Kaito glared at Shinichi, ignoring his pain and laid down back.
Kaito turned his back to Shinichi and mumbled, “Just leave me alone.”
Silence filled the room and Kaito wanted nothing other than Shinichi to leave him… like everyone else.
“Then, make me,” Shinichi suddenly stated in a flat tone.
Kaito turned to look at Shinichi and wanted to yell at him again but Shinichi cut him off, “because the Kuroba Kaito I know would never be like this!!!”
Kaito was shocked at the sudden burst.
“The Kuroba Kaito I know is always childish and never gives up. He is always trying his best to find the solution no matter how hard the situation is. He always dreams weirdest things and never loses hope to achieve them. He always and always and always turns impossible to possible. He is a miracle himself,” Shinichi looked up at him with such longing eyes, if Kaito should describe them.
“That is the Kuroba Kaito I know and right in front of me is nothing like that person,” Kaito could just gap and stare at Shinichi.
Shinichi was right.
Kaito was always childish. He always dreamed of becoming a magician like his father. He always dreamed of catching the person who had killed his father after knowing his father's secrets. He always dreamed of making the best trick in the world until no one could recreate it.
And all of those were impossible.
Yet, he had achieved all of them now because he never gave up and didn’t lose hope.
Because that was how he was.
Kuroba Kaito would always be childish, dreamed silly things and never gave up to achieve them.
And right now, the only dream he wanted to achieve was to make his own name and surpass his father.
“If you still stay like this, I think I would prefer the old Kuroba Kaito,” Shinichi said and turned towards the door.
But Kaito needed support. The only supports he had was his mother, who was far away, Jii-chan, who deserved a break after years tracking Snake down, and of course-
“Wait,” Kaito caught Shinichi’s wrist before he could walk away.
-Shinichi.
“Will you stay by my side then?” Shinichi turned to him and the question was enough. Shinichi would understand it. He always would.
Shinichi smirked at him and oh, Kaito had missed that smirk so much, before the smirk softened. Kaito felt a little warmth in his stomach at the sight.
“Of course.”
At the sight of the beautiful smile, Kaito bit back his tongue from asking why the other's wrist was so cold.
.
“Thank you for today,” Kaito said to the doctor and sat in his wheelchair. He released a sigh. Both his legs were still painful to walk but it’s bearable now he guessed.
He couldn’t help but smile at his progress.
“You did great, Kuroba.”
Hearing the familiar voice, Kaito turned his wheelchair and moved towards it.
“Geez, you’ve been taking care of me for a week straight and yet, you still insist on calling me by name, Shinichi,” Kaito joked and watched Shinichi roll his eyes.
“Obviously. Anyway, what’s the update?”
And after that Shinichi pushed Kaito’s wheelchair while Kaito told him about his update.
“You’re late today. Don’t tell me you stumble in a case early in the morning,” he asked once he finished and a chuckle he got as a reply.
“What do you think?”
They laughed and really, Kaito loved time like this. Time when they were together.
“Jii-san is going to come with Your mother tomorrow, right?” Kaito hummed.
“Why did you ask?”
“Nothing. Just want to confirm it. I want to give you two some time together, so I won’t come tomorrow,” Kaito raised his eyebrow at that and pouted.
“But I’ll miss you,” he whined and Shinichi snorted.
“Yes, yes. I’ll make it up to you, okay,” Kaito lit up at the offer.
“You better,” he grinned at Shinichi and again, Shinichi rolled his eyes.
“We’re here,” Shinichi said and opened his room.
Then, there stood Aoko and Hakuba at his bedside.
“Kaito,” Aoko called him and he looked away. He let Shinichi push his wheelchair to his bed, passing them, but said nothing.
“Can we talk, Kuroba, please,” Hakuba said this time and he felt trapped. He wanted to run away, away from them.
Why were they here, anyway? He had hurted them. He had lied to them. He didn’t deserve them.
But suddenly there was a hand on his shoulder, giving comfort. He looked up and a pair of sapphire eyes stared at him back. Shinichi was smiling.
That was enough for him to know that everything would be alright.
“I’ll leave you three here. If you can excuse me,” Shinichi bowed right after helping Kaito rest on his bed and walked away.
Silence was too loud when Shinichi left them.
Minutes later, Kaito took a deep breath, wanted to start a conversation but Aoko beat him when she suddenly hugged him.
“Aoko?” then a sob. He panicked.
“W-wait, why are you crying?” He pat his childhood’s back, hoping would calm her down.
“Aoko is sorry,” she started and Kaito’s eyes widened. He just listened to Aoko’s apologies, saying how she should have not overreacted and left him even though she knew that Kaito had been hurting too, even though she knew Kaito had needed her for support. Afterall, he had no one before Shinichi came into his life.
Kaito just listened and listened until he didn’t notice tears coming out of his eyes.
“Will you forgive Aoko?” She pulled out from the hug and Kaito wiped the tears on her face while she did the same to his tears.
“Idiot, I’m the one who should ask that. Besides, you needed space and I understand. Thank you, Aoko.”
They just looked at each other and Kaito… he had missed this, being close to Aoko.
“Right, I’ll get something to eat. You haven’t eaten, have you? So, do you want anything, Kaito?” Aoko suddenly stood up and Kaito just answered with a smile, “Just like old times.”
Aoko nodded with the brightest smile Kaito had seen today from her before leaving Kaito with Hakuba…. yeah, Hakuba.
“Thank you, Hakuba,” Kaito turned to look at Hakuba who was looking at the hospital window.
“For what?”
“For everything, especially with Aoko,” and Hakuba dared to snort. He then turned to
Kaito and a smile, a warm smile, made across his face.
“What's a friend for if he doesn’t help his friend in need?”
“I don’t know because you always want to put me into jail so I’m not sure if we’re even friends,” Kaito joked and they laughed.
“That’s my way to annoy you,” Hakuba later shrugged. Kaito felt his mouth twitch at that and they battered like how they used to in high school.
.
A nasty cough echoed on the other line.
“Shinichi, you’re okay?” Kaito asked worriedly. He heard wheezing and frowned when he got no answer.
“Shinichi?”
“Just a cold,” Kaito frowned more.
“You were fine just now.”
“Chase after someone in the rain,” Shinichi answered simply and Kaito was somehow annoyed at that.
“Geez, take better care of yourself.”
“Yes, yes.”