Vineyard [Detective Conan fanfic, Vermouth x Gin]

Chapter 42 A New (Out)look

Author's note: New chapter 42 as of 19/4/2023. Sorry for the late update, I'm swamped lately.

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Chapter 42 A New (Out)look

Akemi snugged her coat around herself, ducking a whip of frigid breath under the warm embrace of her husband as they made their way to the house across the street, souvenirs in their hands. Standing on the porch, she knocked and waited. To her utmost bewilderment, a man she didn't recognize emerged from the retired criminals' house.

Omnivorous emerald eyes adorned his chiseled features like jewels on a marble statue of old, only befitting covers of fashion magazines. His short and messy blond hair lingered on his forehead, lending a rugged and wild bearing of an untamed predator.

"Uhm ... who are you?" A confused Akemi shrank, inching closer to Akai. A moment of complete silence nervously passed then she heard her husband chuckle.

"New haircut?" Akai arched his brow, the corners of his lips rising.

"Shut up." The man snarled. His handsome face crumbled, twisting into a giant knot.

And Akemi recognized that deep, menacing growl anywhere. Shock bulged from her eyes. Her mind scrambled to the reality standing in front of her. GIN? This man ... this beautiful man ... is ... GIN?

Vermouth appeared behind Gin at exactly the right time to clear up the confusion, her head tilting playfully, her fingers drumming on his shoulder before placing a big, sloppy kiss on his cheek. Her lips smacked loudly. An obscene sound rippled through his cleanly shaven face and shame neurons. "Short hair suits him." Her eyes landed on Akemi's.

And Akemi couldn't help but nod profusely, much to Akai's hardened smile. Thinking back, she had never truly seen Gin's face before. His tresses always strategically clung to his skin and obscured his features. She was lost in thought, searching her memory, only to find blurry, indistinguishable images of the terrifying man. Then, when she finally looked up, she found her view blocked by Akai's tall figure.

"Are you done?" The whole neighborhood could see Gin's jaw stiffen from a mile away. His white knuckles bared claws on the doorframe.

"It's a compliment." Vermouth wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him in place, stroking his cheek. "Now people can see your pretty face."

Gin scrunched his nose in pure disgust. His gaze veered away defiantly, but his body remained in place and bore the onslaught of Vermouth's affection.

"Shu?" Kate peaked her head through the balcony railing. Spotting her beloved neighbor, she zoomed into the door before her mother could scold her for running downstairs. She leaped into his arms and placed a big kiss on his cheek. "SHU! Do you have it?"

"Where's your manners, sweetie?" Vermouth shook her head and dislodged herself from her increasingly grumpy man.

"Sorry, mommy." Kate beamed at Akemi and gave Akai a giant embrace. "Welcome back, Akemi, Shu! I miss you so much!"

Gin scoffed, frowning at his little girl's overt display of affection. "You miss the toys."

"So? So?" Kate's eyes shone and glued to the huge bags in Akai's hands, her hands clinging to his neck. "Do you have it?"

"How could I forget?"

***

In the warm embrace of the radiator, Akemi sank into the couch and blew on the steaming cup of tea. She spent her time exchanging pleasantries with Vermouth and thanked her for the thoughtful Christmas gifts before doing her own gifting—mostly Japanese specialties. Meanwhile, next to her, Akai was busy unpacking their many plushies under Kate's thrilled gaze.