Archive of Our Own ^beta

"This is a terrible idea."

"Well it's too late cause I already did it!" Kokichi happily exclaims as he continues to dodge his boyfriend despite just having woken him up—

The bleary eyed detective is no match for his mischievous partner, unable to wrestle his phone from the other despite his attempts.

"And I am saying that's fine! You can call out if you need a day to rest but I can't! What about everyone else at work? I don't want to burden them with my cases without any warning—"

Kokichi pouts, finally staying still despite still being in bed. "Cmon Shumai, they can survive one day without you in the office. Just because you're a hot-shot detective now doesn't mean the whole firm is suddenly incompetent!"

Shuichi finally manages to trap his partner in a hug, but Kokichi keeps a firm grasp on the detective's cell phone, "Unless this is your way of telling me you really do resent your coworkers and actually think they are incompetent! OOOOO, just wait till I text Kirigiri-san with this tea!"

The detective laughs, well aware of the empty threat, "You know that I don't think that at all. But it really isn't fair for me to bail without notice, as Lead Detective they do rely on me to find anything we can for our cases, and wade through some of the bureaucracy with my title."

Kokichi hums, "Yeah, but when do I get my boyfriend back? You keep coming home so exhausted on the weekends you barely have time to catch up on sleep, much less do anything fun with me."

Shuichi instantly softens, knowing that he is indeed guilty of working himself to the bone. Kokichi had always been so understanding with him, since Shuichi was indeed passionate about his job as a Detective. He did owe some of it to Kokichi, as he was the only partner that fully supported his aspirations, even if it meant they had to become more of a homebody to accommodate that dream.

Shuichi hugs his beloved tighter, his body slowly relaxing once more as he rests for just a little bit longer. Ever since the autumn chill had arrived, he was finding it harder and harder to get out of a cozy bed with his boyfriend sleeping peacefully. Maybe a day of rest was needed, considering Ouma was just going to be at home in the middle of the week— 

"Fine. I'll call off. Just for today though, I can't be out for a whole week like last time, ok?"

"Pfft, it's not my fault that you couldn't remember what excuse you used last time to get out of work and it backfired on you. I thought someone like you could at least keep your lies straight!"

"Well, it's kind of hard when I have to also keep your lies straight." Shuichi earns a pillow to the face for that comment. The pair roll around in a weak wrestle, only stopping once Shuichi's first alarm goes off for the day.  

Shuichi finds his phone in the sea of blankets to silence the alarm and begins to dial the office when Kokichi cuddles up to his side once more with puppy eyes ready—

"Can I do it?"

"Nope," Shuichi begins, not at all phased by Ouma's charms, "Megumi will definitely think your call is just a prank and won't take it seriously, even if your impression of me is almost there."

"Shumai is so mean! I'm not able to get better if I don't get to practice, cmoooon!"

He laughs at Kokichi's whining, combing his free hand through Kokichi's soft hair, "How about we go somewhere fun today. Anywhere you want."

" Anywhere? "

"Anywhere within reason."

"Man, I didn't realize there were so many terms and conditions with you. Do I need to get a lawyer and a witness for this agreement too?"

"No, not this time." Shuichi jokes back, eager to play along, "But I might need something to seal the deal."

"Want me to sign it in blood or will a kiss work?"

Shuichi doesn't bother to answer, instead pecking Ouma on the lips as he pulls away to make the call, "You better decide soon so that we can get ready and go, ok?"

"Oh, I already know where we're gonna go. And tell Megumi that she's not gonna know when I do end up calling her as you, ok?"   

Shuichi laughs when he sees Kokichi fighting with the pamphlet, taking one side of the paper to help him figure out the map— 

"We HAVE to see the penguins." Kokichi proudly exclaims now that he can actually see the map.

"Mmhm."

"AND the red pandas!"

"Definitely."

"And the SNAKES!"

"Hmm, that's a bit far compared to the others, especially because you would want to see the otters too, right?"

"Well the otters and I are having a bit of a fallout cause they didn't pay their dues to DICE, so I was thinking I could pass by just to remind them of the issue, maybe intimidate them a little..."

Shuichi laughs at the impromptu lie, unable to stop himself from laughing at the absurdity of it all, "Is that really necessary? I thought this was supposed to be both of our days off! And here you are, bringing me to the zoo for DICE-related work."

" Fiiiine , I won't collect their due just because I'm not on the clock this time. But they should count their blessings since otter-ambassador Saihara is super persuasive."

 Shuichi holds up his hands, "So I have a soft spot for them. I have a really big soft spot for you too, you know."

"Oh? So my main competition for your heart are the otters? Maybe I should eliminate them and have you all to myself."

"Ouma~" Shuichi sing-songs, signaling that the joke is getting out of hand and only making the liar laugh heartily—

"Chill! You know I wouldn't do that. It's not my fault that you pull the lies out of me!"

Shuichi smiles and kisses Kokichi on the forehead before putting a hat on Kokichi since he knew it would be chilly around the exhibits—

"Well all I need to know is if the otters are the last stop or if you wanna pass by earlier so I can start planning our route for the day."

Ouma smiles as he adjusts the beanie on his head properly, his heart a little weak from all the affection Shuichi has been showing him for the day.

"Can… Can we do both? Like… go two times." Kokichi quietly asks, his voice soft and almost skittish.

Shuichi blinks a bit in shock, before recovering with a bright smile, "Yeah, that's fine. Are they your favorite now?"

"Nope!" Kokichi giggles, his expression growing sinister, "I'm not here on business, but they still need to be afraid of me. It's more intimidating if I harass them multiple times, right?"

"Please don't scare them, they are just otters."

"Fiiiiine, you're such a buzzkill." Kokichi leans against Shuichi dramatically, peering over his shoulder on the map. "So, which way are we going, since you're gonna be our tour guide?"

The pair make their way through the zoo, with Ouma making up fake facts and Shuichi correcting him about the animals, laughing and admiring the wildlife all the while. 

Shuichi is almost surprised at how fast the time flies for them, and he almost regrets not being able to plan in advance as they encounter some of their planned exhibits closed or out of season, to which Kokichi is almost inconsolable—

"Cmon, we can totally stick around to see some of the nocturnal animals, right? You can't say no to a cute face like a fruit bat, right?"

"I think those are part of a specific reservation, not included with our tickets. Besides, we can't stay past midnight, we only have today to burn since you said we would only do this today."

"What? So this isn't my chance to steal the bats for my lair? Why are we even here then?!"

They take their losses though, and overall still continue to have a wonderful time exploring the zoo.

As their time comes to a close, they return back to the otter exhibit, just as Ouma had requested.

The two watch as the otters socialize and play in their groups, buzzing and chirping with delight. Shuichi at first is tempted to joke around but he notices that Kokichi is oddly silent.

Shuichi reaches for his hand, lacing their hands together almost effortlessly. He can feel it all, the softness of his palm and the warmth of his fingers, and Shuichi finds himself so giddy at something as simple as holding hands.

He almost wishes that he could stay in this moment. That he could stay and just savor the warmth and love and joy from running away from everything for the day. As much as he loves being a detective, he loves Ouma too.

None of his current life and happiness wouldn't be possible without him.

Suddenly, lilac meets gold.

"Don't let go." Kokichi murmurs, in that quiet voice again that makes Shuichi melt.

A rare truth, and glimpse into the real Ouma. The fact that he has seen more and more of it only makes Shuichi that much enamored.

He leans in for a gentle kiss, softly replying as he squeezes Kokichi's hand, "I won't."

Even when they get home and go to bed and Kokichi makes his usual jokes and lies, Shuichi can't help but look for his hand again, wanting to hold onto the man he fell in love with and reassure him of everything. 

So even with Kokichi fast asleep, Shuichi holds his hand. He traces over his fingers, and relishes in the comfort that his touch brings and it finally occurs to him what is missing—

Maybe it was time for him to start looking at wedding rings.