#i brought my knitting and my kindle with me but like honestly i might just lie here and try to leave my body instead

[rayneyroses]

✦ Setting Sail ✦

Happy Birthday to my Teddy Kay! ♥ @frauleinjustice​ I thought you’d like some fluffy feels with the boys. Enjoy!

Shipping: Oumasai Setting: Phantom Thief/Detective AU Words: 1174 Trigger Warnings: none Posted: 07.07.20

Description: They’ve fallen for each other, but now that Shuuichi dared to get his hopes up, Kokichi sent him a letter as a goodbye message. Bewildered and confused why he’d suddenly want to leave and effectively end their rivalry, the detective chases after his favourite thief once again!

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Simple words had brought him here. Rows of letters strung together in an attempt to make sense, yet he had been unable to comprehend the words written. ‘ Why would you go? ’, Shuuichi kept asking himself over and over as he read the thief’s farewell message. Something about his job being done, the boredom driving him elsewhere.

The bitterness hidden between the lines revealed them to be lies.

“ Ouma-kun! ”

Pale fingers were outstretched as he tried to catch up to him. His heart pounded hard against his ribcage and his breath came ragged, strained from his continued running in the cold. He had carelessly pushed people aside and was followed by complaints, but the hand he craved desperately to hold was so close. Just a little more‒

“ What do you think you’re doing? ”

His hand was slapped away. Kokichi had spun on his heels, luggage in one hand and a silent threat in the other. Lavender eyes met gold. The thief’s brows were knit together in frustration and his gaze was piercing, as if Shuuichi’s presence were nothing but an eyesore. He felt petrified, helpless.

“ I ask for one favour and this is what I get? Honestly, you’re nothing but a disgrace. I thought you respected me, but it seems I was wrong ”, Kokichi spat harsh words at him, each syllable dripping with annoyance. Yet, he had stopped walking.

People were staring but Shuuichi didn’t care. The salty winds coming from the sea were biting and he struggled to catch his breath.

“ You can’t go! ”, Shuuichi called out. He wanted to grab his wrist but hesitated, fearing Kokichi might slip through his fingers if he tried, losing purchase. “ We’re not finished! ”

“ I told you I’m leaving because we are. You’re not even doing your job right. Where are the handcuffs, hm? ” Kokichi never rejected him. “ I’m a little busy, as you can see, so can you kindly fuck off? ” He never would with sincerity.

Shuuichi had to believe. If he wanted to convince him, then he had to give it his all. No unnecessary emotions, but solid arguments. He shook his head. Realisation had kindled a flame in his eyes strengthened his resolve.

“ No. That’s wrong ”, words that visibly infuriated Kokichi, but he continued. “ I’m not here for work. We may be enemies, but… today I’m here as your friend. ” The thief snorted and threw his hands in the air as if he wasn’t taking him seriously. It irked him, but he reminded himself not to falter.

“ Friends? You’re making me laugh! Did you think our connection meant something? If that’s the case, poor Mr. Detective must be delusional! ”, Kokichi taunted him with the bravado of a master thief such as himself. “ I acknowledge your competence, which is why I sent you that letter ‒ that’s it. If you’re looking for a tragic reunion, I’m not‒ ”

“ I care! I’m doing it because I care for you, Ouma-kun! When will you get it through that thick skull of yours? ”, his sentenced trailed off into a hiss, far too emotional for his taste. It was hard to force it down. “ Because… even if Ouma Kokichi is an insufferable, arrogant, know-it-all criminal, I’d chase you to the ends of the world…! ”

His heart skipped a beat. He expected to get a reply but wound up with none. Oppressive silence lingered between them. Despite the tension, Shuuichi’s shoulders slumped and the heat rose to his cheeks, painting them a rosy colour. Dammit. He didn’t want to say it like this. Kokichi was looking back at him with wide eyes and no emotion visible whatsoever. Just... waiting. Was he waiting? They stared at each other. Shuuichi couldn’t take it any longer.

“ Ah... are you doubting me? ”, he asked. Instead of anger, sadness stained his tone. “ It’s fine, but… I’m telling the truth. So hear me out. ” He clutched at his heart and felt tears pricking the corners of his eyes. “ If Ouma-kun leaves, it won’t be the same... when I said I won’t be able to keep my position, this isn’t what I meant. I don’t want you to go. I want you to stay, more than anything! I’m just worried we’ll be forced to... forced to end this. Whatever game it is we’re playing. ”

Before he got a chance to continue, Kokichi finally answered. Shuuichi expected his response to be dismissive yet was surprised with how gentle his voice sounded. Soothing and honest. Vulnerable, almost.

“ Because Saihara-chan isn’t showing results...? Because you’ll be taken off my case, is that it? But... if I go, you won’t have to worry about silly things like that. ”

That’s when he realised. Right now, Kokichi wasn’t scared of being near ‒ he was doing him a favour. Preventing the worst-case scenario before it became a possibility, planning ahead as always. It was typical and yet he had been so blind...

“ Can’t we come up with something together? ”

Shuuichi stepped closer. The tension seeped from Kokichi’s body and his bony hands slacked. The detective dared to grasp one of them carefully. Their touch was warm like a crackling fireplace in the middle of an icy winter. He was welcome here.

“ ...you’re worried, aren’t you, Ouma-kun? But... it’s worth it. To me, it is. I’ll prove it. ” He laced their fingers together in a silent, sickeningly sweet promise. Kokichi swallowed hard but let go of the bag in his other hand. It hit the ground with an uncomfortable thud, which went ignored by the two. “ Can’t you stay a little longer? I’d love that more than anything. ”

“ I… ”, the thief hesitated. With his eyes downcast, Kokichi took a step back. He shouldn’t be doing this. It was irrational. And yet, when he dared to glance at Shuuichi’s eyes, the fondness he saw felt like an arrow that struck his heart. Right where it hurt the most, right where it healed the most. He felt himself melt into the inviting warmth. The taller man noticed his inner struggle and encouraged him.

“ You don’t have to reply right away, Ouma-kun. But, if you could reconsider… it’d mean something. ”

It knocked the air out of Kokichi’s lungs. A cold breeze reminded him of the heat that warmed his cheeks. Finally, he dared to step closer. One step, two steps, until Shuuichi opened his arms wide to offer an embrace. It was an invitation, nothing more than that.

He took it. He cut the distance between them and a dam of emotions broke inside his heart, flooding his body with a deep-seated longing. Kokichi wrapped his arms around him tight and Shuuichi returned it. Both held onto one another as if their life depended on it.

“ Thank you… ”

The words left Kokichi’s lips in a whisper. Shuuichi’s body shook against him with a relieved chuckle as he nuzzled purple strands of hair. The luggage had been forgotten and so was the ship that set sail in the distance. A decision like this was too heavy to make overnight.

Maybe they were meant to fare together instead.

“ Thank you, too… ”

#ndrv3 #kokichi ouma #shuichi saihara #oumasai #saiouma #frauleinjustice #🔍【 mountain oolong 】 #🎲【 african solstice 】 #𝓶𝔂𝓼𝓽𝓮𝓻𝔂 𝓼𝓾𝓲𝓽𝓮 #🔮【 mysterious storybook || writings 】 #I love you kay! ♥