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The city is glowing tonight, bright and full of life. On any other night, Heizou would've stopped to admire it and let himself forget about his responsibilities, even if just momentarily. But, right now, his full focus is on the rooftops in front of him as he tries to catch up with the person who has been driving him crazy for weeks now—the phantom thief who he keeps escaping his grasp.
Heizou was assigned to the case when the phantom thief managed to fool them yet again, so naturally, they had to call in the best detective they had on the team to deal with the situation before things got even more out of hand.
In truth, Heizou wasn't that interested in the case until he witnessed the phantom thief’s escape for the first time. That night made something in him shift, and he couldn't stop thinking about him.
The way he had made such a dramatic exit after successfully stealing another historical artifact from a museum like it was the easiest thing in the world made Heizou interested in him. But, what really drew him in was the way the phantom thief looked so… full of life as he played with them, enjoying himself to the max as they kept failing to get to him.
Heizou was just there for backup back then. To observe the situation before getting fully involved in it, but he swears that the phantom thief had made eye contact with him and winked before focusing back on his escape.
And, just like every weekend, he had managed to escape, only leaving his signature card with a hourglass symbol in it.
Heizou is still not sure what changed in him that night, but he wants to be the one to capture the phantom thief. He craves the thrill of the chase.
And he's close to it right now.
His lungs burn from the intense running, but he pushes forward, knowing he's getting closer.
The phantom thief is even faster than rumors have described, moving like he's weightless. Every leap he takes is effortless, and he even glances at Heizou after each one, giving him a playful smile that says “Can you still keep up with me?”
That smile makes Heizou's heart skip a beat, and it's infuriating to no end.
“Come on, detective. Slowing down already?” The phantom thief calls out over his shoulder, his voice full of amusement and mocking.
Heizou grits his teeth, willing his legs to move faster despite the burning ache in his muscles. He jumps over another rooftop, each step bringing him closer, the gap between them finally narrowing. He doesn't waste his breath with a retort, knowing it's a trap to distract him.
His eyes are locked on the figure ahead. The cloak flowing in the wind, the mask resting on his face, the graceful and confident way he moves.
And that's exactly when he sees it. A barely noticeable misstep that betrays the phantom thief's exhaustion, giving him the perfect opening, and Heizou is not about to waste the opportunity.
He stops thinking for a moment and lets his body move, lunging forward confidently.
His fingers catch the back of the cloak, the fabric smooth between his fingers. For a terrifying second, it almost slips from his hold, but he yanks it hard, throwing the other man off balance just as he's about to recover from his small stumble.
The momentum makes both of them crash onto the rooftop with a loud thud, their bodies becoming a tangled mess instantly.
Heizou wastes no time in pressing the phantom thief down with his body, trapping him underneath himself to pin him firmly against the cold surface.
“I finally got you.” Heizou pants, grinning down at him triumphantly. His breath is warm and heavy in the cold night air. “Guess you aren't as untouchable as everyone thinks.”
The phantom thief chuckles under him, playful and unbothered, his head tilting just enough for his eyes to meet Heizou’s through the mask.
“You caught me. I was curious about what you’d do if that happened.” He murmurs, his voice low and smooth, acting far too calm for someone who is about to be arrested.
Heizou’s grin turns sharper, the adrenaline of the chase still coursing through his body. “I don't think you'll enjoy being handcuffed.”
“Mmm…” The phantom thief hums, his smirk widening under the mask. “You never know, detective. I just might.”
Heizou’s breath catches for barely a second before he forces himself to compose himself, but he feels something tight curling in his stomach. Something hot that he refuses to name. He forces himself to ignore it and focus, no matter how hard it's getting to pretend like everything is fine.
“Don't try to charm your way out of this.” Heizou hisses, tightening his grip on the man under him.
“Who said I was trying?” The phantom thief answers easily, voice soft and teasing. “Can't help it if this position is doing things to my heart.”
Heizou’s heart stutters at that, his cheeks becoming warmer against his will. He hates how easily it is for him to get under his skin like it's nothing.
He exhales through his teeth, willing his face to go back to a normal color, but he can tell the phantom thief has noticed it by the way he smirks at him knowingly.
The phantom thief isn't struggling or resisting. He's just watching. Waiting. Letting Heizou think he's the one in control.
Until, suddenly, he takes it away from him.
The shift is too fast to even process for Heizou.
In a blur, their positions are reversed, and suddenly Heizou finds himself on his back with the phantom thief having his knees on either side of his hips to pin him down with his eyes watching him almost… fondly?
“I’ve always wanted to play with you, Heizou. Don't disappoint me.” He has moved close enough that his voice is low and warm against Heizou's ear, sending a shiver down his spine.
The words send a jolt through Heizou's body, what he said taking a moment to register, and when they do, they hit hard. Way harder than he expected, but not for what was said, but because of the voice. That voice he knows he has heard somewhere, but he can't remember from where.
Heizou is frozen on the spot, something deep in his mind trying to claw its way to the surface, but it doesn't work because he can't pinpoint why it's so familiar.
Too familiar.
Heizou’s mind blanks for a second, like something important just slipped out of reach.
The phantom thief pulls back like nothing happened. Like he just didn't change Heizou’s entire life with some simple words.
“Until next time, detective.” He calls cheekily, the lightness and tease being back in his voice again. “Don't miss me too much, yeah?”
Heizou tries to scramble after him, but he's too slow. The phantom thief is already gone, disappearing into the darkness of the night, but Heizou swears his voice still lingers in the air.
Heizou stays where he is, mind racing a mile a minute.
That voice… Why did it sound so familiar?
—
Heizou opens the door a little too forcefully, his footsteps heavy as he enters the apartment. The adrenaline is all gone now, leaving him with frustration and confusion and… something else.
On the couch, Sethos glances up from his book, his eyes following Heizou's movements with mild curiosity and amusement.
“Rough night?” He asks after the silence stretches longer than necessary, trying to sound casual.
Heizou grumbles something under his breath as he kicks off his shoes, tossing his coat over the nearest chair like it personally offended him. “Don't start.”
“I wasn't going to.” Sethos replies while putting his book aside and sitting up a little. “But you look like someone kicked your puppy.”
Heizou slumps into the armchair with a tired groan. “I had him, Sethos.”
Sethos raises an eyebrow, propping his chin in his hand in interest. “What happened?”
Heizou rubs his face with frustration, groaning again. “He overpowered me and got away.”
“Slippery guy, huh.” Sethos muses, lips twitching like he's holding back a smile that he knows will annoy him further. “Sounds like you’re getting closer, though.”
“Getting closer doesn't mean anything if I can't catch him.” Heizou sounds frustrated, but the heat in his voice is more angry at himself than anyone else. “And his voice...”
Sethos’s eyes flicker to Heizou’s face at that, but he keeps his expression neutral. “His voice?”
Heizou nods slowly, but he doesn't elaborate further.
That voice.
That tone.
It was—
Heizou shakes his head abruptly, scowling as he feels his cheeks warm up again. “Never mind.”
Sethos hums, studying him from across the room. Not speaking. Not smiling. Just watching. “Hmm…”
Then, after a moment, he sighs like nothing happened and stands up to head towards the kitchen. “I'll make you some tea. You need it.”
“Yeah... Thanks.” Heizou murmurs, blinking slowly as he replays what happened earlier in his mind..
Sethos gives him a smile and nods softly.
Once he's alone in the kitchen, he allows himself a faint smile.
Heizou is getting close. Way too close.
Not only close to catching the phantom thief, but to finding out the truth.
But not yet, though.
The game isn't over yet, and Sethos plans to enjoy every moment he has left with the detective.