Fanfiction! (Disclaimer)

A Day in the Life
of a Duo that Works Surprisingly Well Together

1
Meeting for (Not) the First Time

"Ano, Hakuba… where are we going?" Kaito was a little nervous. Beika—was not where he expected the British detective (who insisted on accusing him of being Kid in public and without proof) to bring him. Yes, they'd been paired together for a school project (thanks, Sensei) but Beika was a bit out of the way.

Not to mention the streets were looking a bit too familiar for Kaito's taste. He knew this area, knew it as well as Ekoda. His favorite—and most dangerous—nighttime critic lived less than two blocks away and Hakuba was leading him in that direction.

'Kuroba Kaito' had no reason to know the area though, not like his moonlight thief persona, and he couldn't say much without Hakuba taking it as verification again. Which he did not want to deal with.

"Poirot Café," Hakuba replied, clearly watching for a reaction.

"… Okay," Kaito glanced sideways at him, affecting annoyed confusion. "And why are we going to a café all the way out here instead of one, oh, I don't know—closer to school?"

Hakuba shrugged one shoulder, "I like Poirot and I do have several acquaintances in the area. One of which I'm certain you know, who lives directly above the café."

Hakuba was trying to get Tantei-kun to catch him out as Kid. That… was a little terrifying. He could keep Hakuba from evidence, but Tantei-kun was another thing entirely. Poker Face hid his edginess and he gave Hakuba a blank look, "Okay… I don't think I know anyone who lives above a café in Beika. Is this you insisting I'm Kid, again? Really, Hakuba, it's getting old."

"I believe I'll have all the verification I'll need if he sees you," Hakuba informed, looking insufferably smug.

It took a great deal of willpower to keep from dying a certain ash-blond's hair bright pink. Problem was, Hakuba could very well be right. Tantei-kun always knew when it was Kid, no matter how good the disguise. It was a little creepy, actually.

Poker Face, Kaito reminded himself, keeping himself looking like an irritable and slightly confused teen as opposed to one on the verge of a minor panic attack.

"And here he is, now," Hakuba smirked at Kaito before turning his head slightly, "Edogawa-kun? Is that you?"

A small form paused, turned, and blinked in obvious startlement as his gaze skipped past Hakuba to rest on Kaito.

"Do you know my classmate, Edogawa-kun?" Hakuba asked, a tint of satisfaction in his tone.

Tantei-kun blinked while Kaito didn't hold his breath, adrenaline jolting through his veins. He could be caught, he was caught, he could see in his eyes that Tantei-kun knew.

"He looks just like Shinichi-nii-chan!" Tantei-kun chirped, turning his attention back towards Hakuba. "Well, except for the hair. Hi, Hakuba-nii-san. Who's your friend?"

Kaito hid his surprise as easily as he had the not-so-minor terror. Tantei-kun knew who he was, he was sure of that, but he'd just flawlessly given himself a believable (and even true) out for the surprise on seeing him while covering for an international criminal. Okay, then, Kaito's turn.

He dropped to one knee to put himself on a level with his favorite critic, drawing a blue rose out in a disguising puff of smoke to present to 'Edogawa Conan'. "I'm Kuroba Kaito! What's your name?"

Tantei-kun eyed the rose—and the person holding it—with consideration as he reached out to take it, "Blue*? Thanks, and I'm Edogawa Conan, Kaito-nii-san! You're really quick with your hands!"

"Thanks," Kaito grinned back at him, seeing the amusement behind Tantei-kun's glasses, "We're going to Poirot for lunch. Want to come?"

"I live upstairs from there," 'Conan' informed cheerily, "I'll have to let Ran-nee-chan know, but she'll probably say it's okay."

Kaito changed his mind about this outing as he saw a certain Brit scowl off to the side. It was Hakuba who would rue the day Kuroba Kaito met Edogawa Conan.

This was going to be awesome.

xxxx

*Blue roses have a few basic meanings that branch into more from there. Base meanings are 'unique', 'impossible', or 'not meant to be' . A more common use for the first is 'uniquely interesting and beautiful'. As for the second, it can be anything from chasing or attempting the impossible to having attained what was thought impossible. The third isn't really ambiguous, but Kaito(u), Kid or otherwise, would see it as a challenge instead of a fact, anyway.