Post by Mikauzoran on May 8, 2016 23:57:25 GMT
www.fanfiction.net/s/11937137/1/Until-Morning
Mikau: I decided at 5:30 that I really did want to write the plunnie I had for this prompt. -.-; So here it is.
Summary: As Kaito lies on the brink of death, Aoko tries to digest the fact that her worst enemy and the man she loves are one and the same. Can she ever forgive him and learn to trust him again? Will he even be able to pull through? If he can just hold out until morning...
Word Count: 1848
Mikau: I decided at 5:30 that I really did want to write the plunnie I had for this prompt. -.-; So here it is.
Summary: As Kaito lies on the brink of death, Aoko tries to digest the fact that her worst enemy and the man she loves are one and the same. Can she ever forgive him and learn to trust him again? Will he even be able to pull through? If he can just hold out until morning...
Word Count: 1848
Until Morning
The door finally opened, and they all looked up, even Aoko.
“If he makes it until morning, he should be out of danger,” the little girl reported with a sigh of exhaustion, using the back of her hand to brush her sweat-slick bangs out of her eyes.
Her gloves were stained with blood. Kid’s blood…. Kaito’s blood.
And Aoko was too numb to try to process the fact that a ten year-old had enough medical training to be able to declare with certainty that Aoko’s bitter enemy…who was also her childhood friend…would likely survive if he could hold on to life until morning.
“Thank you, Haibara.” Conan-kun replied on behalf of them all, giving the young scientist a weary smile.
“Yes. Thank you,” Hakuba-kun responded belatedly and a little awkwardly. “We’re so grateful to you for saving him. We can’t thank you enough.”
Aoko said nothing, only gripped her arm so tight the skin under her hoodie was going white. She didn’t trust herself to speak. She was afraid she’d break down in tears or explode into angry screams if she tried to open her mouth. She was a maelstrom of hurt and betrayal, pain and sorrow and anger and fear.
Haibara frowned and gravely informed, “He’s not safe yet.” before she trudged off to wash up and rest.
Hakuba-kun’s expression darkened and he looked down at the floor, folding his hands once more and beginning to mutter under his breath in English as he had been doing for the past two hours. “Our Father…” interspersed with “Hail Mary…” in endless cycles, lightning fast.
They sat in desolate virtual silence like that for nearly half an hour more until Araide-sensei came out of the room.
The grim group looked up once more in unison, awaiting an update to the verdict Haibara had delivered to them.
The doctor forced a smile, but his tired eyes and ashen face did little to inspire confidence. “It’s touch and go, but it looks like he’s going to pull through if he can ride out these next few hours.”
Hakuba-kun flicked out his pocket watch. “Precisely how long is a few hours? Haibara-san said ‘until morning’. Sunrise is in three hours, forty-six minutes, and twelve point three seconds. Is that an accurate time frame in which you’ll be able to tell something, or will we have to wait longer? Will you know sooner?” The young detective held his breath, praying news would come sooner rather than later. The past two hours had really worn on his spirit, stretched the limits of his sanity.
Doctor Araide’s brow creased, and his eyes took on a twinge of regret as he answered, “Come dawn, we should know for sure. If he starts to improve sooner, that will be a good sign, but…we won’t be able to say for certain before three or four more hours.”
Hakuba’s shoulders slumped, and he sighed long and low. He swallowed back his fears and his guilt and nodded. “Thank you, Doctor.”
Aoko let go of the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. She frowned. What did she care? Kaito deserved it after everything he’d done. No! No, he didn’t! She didn’t want him dead! Please, please, don’t let him die!
But hadn’t she despised Kid from the very depths of her being? Hadn’t she wished terrible things upon him in the past? Yes, but… And Kaito was Kid. They were one and the same. Everything she’d held a grudge against Kid for had actually been done by Kaito. Kaito was the one who had torn her family apart, ridiculed her father, wreaked havoc on his sleeping habits and ruined his health. Kaito was the one who had taken her father away from her, putting him and all of the other officers in danger so that Kaito could play his little game.
Because Kaito was bored. She knew that that was the reason. That was why Kaito had done it. He’d been bored, and jumping off of buildings, running from the police had been a fun game, an adrenaline rush to break himself out of his rut. Matching wits with detectives had been the mental stimulation the genius had needed to shake things up.
And she hated him for it. So, yes. He’d deserved what he’d got.
But…as much as she hated Kid, Kid was still her darling Kaito, and if her beloved friend were to die…
But was he really her friend anymore? Kaito had changed over the past few years.
“Since Kid,” her mind gently whispered.
Kaito had changed, and it hadn’t been for the better. He was no longer her confidante, her trusted companion, the one she could lean on in times of trouble, the one who smiled reassuringly at her and did magic tricks just to make her forget the pain and the loneliness. Kaito wasn’t there for her when she needed him nowadays.
Because he was too busy stealing priceless gemstones for kicks.
He never made time for her anymore…unless it was to accompany her to deliver care packages to her father while he was preparing for a Kid heist.
She’d been stupid.
There was the time on the train, going to see the play together, going to the museum for the Nightmare heist…and Chat Noir…and the time they’d walked around downtown before Kid stole those shoes. Even the time they’d gone ice skating together, it had just been reconnaissance for the heist at the museum next to the rink.
And she’d been completely blind at the time. He’d used her.
Maybe she’d be better off if he died. It’s not like she’d be able to look at him again after this. They’d never be friends again. It would never be like it was. She couldn’t love him anymore. She’d never forgive him. In fact, she might kill him herself if he survived.
But…Kaito….Kaito…her Kaito.
Was this really how it’d end? Was this really all there was to it? Would she lose him once and for all without even the opportunity to say goodbye, tell him she loved him, and have him apologize and tell her whatever really great reason he’d had for doing all of those terrible things?
Would he say sorry? He would, wouldn’t he? Because once he realized how much he’d hurt her…he’d feel bad, wouldn’t he? He would. She knew he would because…because he loved her too…right?
He’d hold her and whisper sorry over and over into her ear, and she’d cry, and he’d tell her why, explain it to her with that silver tongue of his so that it sounded like a good enough excuse that she could forgive him.
She wanted to forgive him, but…
When she thought back to how he had wronged her, how she had believed in him, how he’d smiled to her face, swore to her his innocence, and then willfully stabbed her in the back…
She wasn’t sure she could trust him anymore. He’d lied to her face for four years now. And he was a good liar. She’d never really suspected a thing, so how was she to know what was real and what wasn’t in the future if she did forgive him and she did give him a second chance?
Maybe Kaito was different now. Maybe her sweet, compassionate first love was already dead. Maybe all that was left was a thief and a liar who felt no guilt as he spun pretty lies to suit his purposes. Maybe he wouldn’t be sorry at all but he would say sorry and act like he meant it so that she’d forgive him and not turn him over to the police.
How could she believe him, consummate actor that he was?
She felt like she didn’t know him anymore. Did Kaito, her Kaito still exist somewhere in there, or…was it really better if they parted ways now, if that bullet laid both her darling magician and that vile fiend Kid to rest so that she wouldn’t have to find out the truth?
Because if her Kaito was already dead and it was just that monster Kid walking around wearing Kaito’s face…she didn’t want to know.
“Aoko-kun?” Hakuba called softly, gently shaking her awake.
Aoko took a deep gasp of air, searching all around, trying to remember where she was and how she had gotten there.
The sterile smell of disinfectant mixed with the metallic scent of blood was a harsh wakeup call.
“Are you all right?” Hakuba-kun called gently, leaving his hand resting reassuringly on her forearm. “I was going to let you sleep until we knew something for sure, thinking the rest would do you some good, but…you were trembling and whimpering in your sleep, so I thought…” He bit his lip, unsure if he should continue.
“What time is it?” Aoko demanded. “How long was Aoko asleep? How long until dawn?”
Hakuba consulted his pocket watch. “There’s about fifty-six minutes left, give or take,” he sighed, sleep deprivation hanging on every word.
“And…” She looked longingly at the door behind which her best friend and worst enemy was fighting for his life.
“Conan-kun, Araide-sensei, and Haibara-san are in there with him. I stayed out here so that someone would be with you when you woke, but…” Hakuba shook his head heavily. “No change for the better or the worse, unfortunately, but…he’s holding on, and if I know Kuroba, he’ll make it. He’s too stubborn to die like this.”
“Aoko wonders if any of us really know Kuroba Kaito anymore,” she muttered to herself.
Hakuba blinked and then his eyes widened. “You really had no idea before that he and Kid were…?”
She shook her head. “Because Aoko didn’t want to see it,” she grumbled bitterly. “Because she was stupid, and he tricked her, he u-used her,” she chocked, hot tears finally breaking free and streaming down her cheeks.
Hakuba’s hand found hers, and he gave it a reassuring squeeze. “Aoko-kun, I want you to promise me something. After he recovers, give him a chance to explain. He’s not a bad man, and he does have his reasons. I’m not sure they’re quite good enough to justify what he’s put you through, but…”
Aoko did not look convinced.
Hakuba frowned and tried again. “Well, one thing’s for sure. He loves you, Aoko-kun, and hiding everything from you these past four years has been eating him up on the inside. Trust in that because even if you two have grown apart because of Kid, that much is still true. No, you won’t be able to go back to how things were right away, and no, I don’t think you should forgive him for everything, but…let him explain and then think about what he says. After you’ve given yourself time, then decide if the years you two have loved each other should really be thrown out over the mistakes he’s made being Kid.”
The floodgates opened, and Aoko found herself sobbing in Hakuba’s arms as they waited out that final hour.
Because deep down, despite everything, she still loved Kaito, and she wanted to believe.
The door finally opened, and they all looked up, even Aoko.
“If he makes it until morning, he should be out of danger,” the little girl reported with a sigh of exhaustion, using the back of her hand to brush her sweat-slick bangs out of her eyes.
Her gloves were stained with blood. Kid’s blood…. Kaito’s blood.
And Aoko was too numb to try to process the fact that a ten year-old had enough medical training to be able to declare with certainty that Aoko’s bitter enemy…who was also her childhood friend…would likely survive if he could hold on to life until morning.
“Thank you, Haibara.” Conan-kun replied on behalf of them all, giving the young scientist a weary smile.
“Yes. Thank you,” Hakuba-kun responded belatedly and a little awkwardly. “We’re so grateful to you for saving him. We can’t thank you enough.”
Aoko said nothing, only gripped her arm so tight the skin under her hoodie was going white. She didn’t trust herself to speak. She was afraid she’d break down in tears or explode into angry screams if she tried to open her mouth. She was a maelstrom of hurt and betrayal, pain and sorrow and anger and fear.
Haibara frowned and gravely informed, “He’s not safe yet.” before she trudged off to wash up and rest.
Hakuba-kun’s expression darkened and he looked down at the floor, folding his hands once more and beginning to mutter under his breath in English as he had been doing for the past two hours. “Our Father…” interspersed with “Hail Mary…” in endless cycles, lightning fast.
They sat in desolate virtual silence like that for nearly half an hour more until Araide-sensei came out of the room.
The grim group looked up once more in unison, awaiting an update to the verdict Haibara had delivered to them.
The doctor forced a smile, but his tired eyes and ashen face did little to inspire confidence. “It’s touch and go, but it looks like he’s going to pull through if he can ride out these next few hours.”
Hakuba-kun flicked out his pocket watch. “Precisely how long is a few hours? Haibara-san said ‘until morning’. Sunrise is in three hours, forty-six minutes, and twelve point three seconds. Is that an accurate time frame in which you’ll be able to tell something, or will we have to wait longer? Will you know sooner?” The young detective held his breath, praying news would come sooner rather than later. The past two hours had really worn on his spirit, stretched the limits of his sanity.
Doctor Araide’s brow creased, and his eyes took on a twinge of regret as he answered, “Come dawn, we should know for sure. If he starts to improve sooner, that will be a good sign, but…we won’t be able to say for certain before three or four more hours.”
Hakuba’s shoulders slumped, and he sighed long and low. He swallowed back his fears and his guilt and nodded. “Thank you, Doctor.”
Aoko let go of the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. She frowned. What did she care? Kaito deserved it after everything he’d done. No! No, he didn’t! She didn’t want him dead! Please, please, don’t let him die!
But hadn’t she despised Kid from the very depths of her being? Hadn’t she wished terrible things upon him in the past? Yes, but… And Kaito was Kid. They were one and the same. Everything she’d held a grudge against Kid for had actually been done by Kaito. Kaito was the one who had torn her family apart, ridiculed her father, wreaked havoc on his sleeping habits and ruined his health. Kaito was the one who had taken her father away from her, putting him and all of the other officers in danger so that Kaito could play his little game.
Because Kaito was bored. She knew that that was the reason. That was why Kaito had done it. He’d been bored, and jumping off of buildings, running from the police had been a fun game, an adrenaline rush to break himself out of his rut. Matching wits with detectives had been the mental stimulation the genius had needed to shake things up.
And she hated him for it. So, yes. He’d deserved what he’d got.
But…as much as she hated Kid, Kid was still her darling Kaito, and if her beloved friend were to die…
But was he really her friend anymore? Kaito had changed over the past few years.
“Since Kid,” her mind gently whispered.
Kaito had changed, and it hadn’t been for the better. He was no longer her confidante, her trusted companion, the one she could lean on in times of trouble, the one who smiled reassuringly at her and did magic tricks just to make her forget the pain and the loneliness. Kaito wasn’t there for her when she needed him nowadays.
Because he was too busy stealing priceless gemstones for kicks.
He never made time for her anymore…unless it was to accompany her to deliver care packages to her father while he was preparing for a Kid heist.
She’d been stupid.
There was the time on the train, going to see the play together, going to the museum for the Nightmare heist…and Chat Noir…and the time they’d walked around downtown before Kid stole those shoes. Even the time they’d gone ice skating together, it had just been reconnaissance for the heist at the museum next to the rink.
And she’d been completely blind at the time. He’d used her.
Maybe she’d be better off if he died. It’s not like she’d be able to look at him again after this. They’d never be friends again. It would never be like it was. She couldn’t love him anymore. She’d never forgive him. In fact, she might kill him herself if he survived.
But…Kaito….Kaito…her Kaito.
Was this really how it’d end? Was this really all there was to it? Would she lose him once and for all without even the opportunity to say goodbye, tell him she loved him, and have him apologize and tell her whatever really great reason he’d had for doing all of those terrible things?
Would he say sorry? He would, wouldn’t he? Because once he realized how much he’d hurt her…he’d feel bad, wouldn’t he? He would. She knew he would because…because he loved her too…right?
He’d hold her and whisper sorry over and over into her ear, and she’d cry, and he’d tell her why, explain it to her with that silver tongue of his so that it sounded like a good enough excuse that she could forgive him.
She wanted to forgive him, but…
When she thought back to how he had wronged her, how she had believed in him, how he’d smiled to her face, swore to her his innocence, and then willfully stabbed her in the back…
She wasn’t sure she could trust him anymore. He’d lied to her face for four years now. And he was a good liar. She’d never really suspected a thing, so how was she to know what was real and what wasn’t in the future if she did forgive him and she did give him a second chance?
Maybe Kaito was different now. Maybe her sweet, compassionate first love was already dead. Maybe all that was left was a thief and a liar who felt no guilt as he spun pretty lies to suit his purposes. Maybe he wouldn’t be sorry at all but he would say sorry and act like he meant it so that she’d forgive him and not turn him over to the police.
How could she believe him, consummate actor that he was?
She felt like she didn’t know him anymore. Did Kaito, her Kaito still exist somewhere in there, or…was it really better if they parted ways now, if that bullet laid both her darling magician and that vile fiend Kid to rest so that she wouldn’t have to find out the truth?
Because if her Kaito was already dead and it was just that monster Kid walking around wearing Kaito’s face…she didn’t want to know.
“Aoko-kun?” Hakuba called softly, gently shaking her awake.
Aoko took a deep gasp of air, searching all around, trying to remember where she was and how she had gotten there.
The sterile smell of disinfectant mixed with the metallic scent of blood was a harsh wakeup call.
“Are you all right?” Hakuba-kun called gently, leaving his hand resting reassuringly on her forearm. “I was going to let you sleep until we knew something for sure, thinking the rest would do you some good, but…you were trembling and whimpering in your sleep, so I thought…” He bit his lip, unsure if he should continue.
“What time is it?” Aoko demanded. “How long was Aoko asleep? How long until dawn?”
Hakuba consulted his pocket watch. “There’s about fifty-six minutes left, give or take,” he sighed, sleep deprivation hanging on every word.
“And…” She looked longingly at the door behind which her best friend and worst enemy was fighting for his life.
“Conan-kun, Araide-sensei, and Haibara-san are in there with him. I stayed out here so that someone would be with you when you woke, but…” Hakuba shook his head heavily. “No change for the better or the worse, unfortunately, but…he’s holding on, and if I know Kuroba, he’ll make it. He’s too stubborn to die like this.”
“Aoko wonders if any of us really know Kuroba Kaito anymore,” she muttered to herself.
Hakuba blinked and then his eyes widened. “You really had no idea before that he and Kid were…?”
She shook her head. “Because Aoko didn’t want to see it,” she grumbled bitterly. “Because she was stupid, and he tricked her, he u-used her,” she chocked, hot tears finally breaking free and streaming down her cheeks.
Hakuba’s hand found hers, and he gave it a reassuring squeeze. “Aoko-kun, I want you to promise me something. After he recovers, give him a chance to explain. He’s not a bad man, and he does have his reasons. I’m not sure they’re quite good enough to justify what he’s put you through, but…”
Aoko did not look convinced.
Hakuba frowned and tried again. “Well, one thing’s for sure. He loves you, Aoko-kun, and hiding everything from you these past four years has been eating him up on the inside. Trust in that because even if you two have grown apart because of Kid, that much is still true. No, you won’t be able to go back to how things were right away, and no, I don’t think you should forgive him for everything, but…let him explain and then think about what he says. After you’ve given yourself time, then decide if the years you two have loved each other should really be thrown out over the mistakes he’s made being Kid.”
The floodgates opened, and Aoko found herself sobbing in Hakuba’s arms as they waited out that final hour.
Because deep down, despite everything, she still loved Kaito, and she wanted to believe.
The
End
End