Saioma Month 2023

Bail me out?

Shuichi picks up the call at almost midnight, only for it to be Kokichi calling him and asking him to bail him out of jail - to which Shuichi agrees to do, and comes to pick him up. They talk for a bit in the car, and Shuichi is more honest when he's tired...

Prompt : Cellmates

It's almost twelve at night, there shouldn't be any reason Shuichi is getting a call. To be fair, there isn't much (good) reason he should be up this late either. He's working on a case, he tells himself. In reality it's because something in his brain won't switch off and let him rest. But at the same time... if someone's calling, it is probably important. There aren't many reasons he'd call someone this late on a Tuesday night.

Shuichi picks up his phone quickly, squinting at the light for a second before checking the number. It's unknown, because of course it is. There's a second when he thinks about declining, but then he does decide to pick up. Almost instantly he holds the phone away from him as noise bursts through, "Shuichi!"

"Kokichi?" He double-checks the caller ID for a second, before frowning, "What are you calling me on?"

"You're my one free phone call in jail," the voice says cheerfully, "Oh, by the way - I probably have to tell you this, but there's a pretty cute police officer leaning over my shoulder right now and listening in."

"Hold on," Shuichi takes a moment to process this, before saying the first thing that came to mind, "Why did you call me?"

"What do you mean?" Kokichi asks, and Shuichi can practically picture him turning his head in confusion, a small smile on his face.

"Shouldn't you be talking to a solicitor?" Shuichi presses, "You need to know your rights, Kokichi. Do you have legal advice currently, what were you arrested for, are-"

"Geez, don't be such a buzzkill," a yawn is suddenly heard from the phone, "I don't, trespassing, and can you pick me up and bail me out?"

"What?"

"Pretty please? With a cherry on top?" Kokichi pauses, "If not I'll set D.I.C.E. on you."

"Slow down," Shuichi says firmly, "Right. Why were you arrested for trespassing?"

"Mmm," there's a pause, "No comment, Mr. Police is looking at me suuuper suspiciously."

"Ok," Shuichi thinks for a second as well, "Fine. I can come bail you out, how much will it be and where are you being held?"

Just as Kokichi starts to answer, the phone is taken away. Shuichi gets nervous for a second, before a new voice comes in. And then, almost half an hour later, Shuichi arrives at the police station, bail money in hand and with a frown. As he enters, he looks around for a second. There are three people in the room, a receptionist of some kind, a very tired looking police officer, and Kokichi.

"Shuichi!"
The way Kokichi immediately brightens makes Shuichi's heart sing, and he gives a small smile in return. To his relief, Kokichi does stay silent while they sort out all the legal matters, and doesn't speak again until they're officially outside the station - and Kokichi is a free(er) man. Somehow, he skips down the street without any worries, "Y'know, thanks Shuichi."

Kokichi waits a second before continuing, "Shuichi, what's wrong? Why are you mad? Is it me? Is it? Is it? Is-"

"It's almost one in the morning Kokichi," Shuichi looks around, "How do you have that much energy?"

"I actually had a pretty good nap in Ikea, so I'm not that sleepy."

"I-Ikea?" Shuichi repeats, turning fully around, "That was where you got arrested for trespassing, Ikea?"

"Are you mad?" Kokichi had a smile on his face, "It's whatevs. I can just pay them later."

"Of course you can," shaking his head slightly, Shuichi opens the car door, "Get in."

"Y'know, that's the exact same thing the police officer told me. Although I suppose you are with the police, Shuichi."

"I will set Maki on you," Shuichi attempts to threaten, although he doesn't really mind when Kokichi just laughs instead. "Right, to your apartment."

"To the store."

"Absolutely not."

"Can I..." Kokichi trails his voice as Shuichi climbs into the driver's seat, waiting until he can hear again, "Bribe you?"

"You needed me to pay your bail."

"Touché." Kokichi considers again, "I can bribe you without money?"

Shuichi begins to turn the car on, but decides to humour him, "Like what?"

"We could... kiss."

Something that Shuichi hates about staying up so late is it removes his filter. He becomes incredibly honest, to a more extreme point. And at almost one in the morning, outside of a police station, Shuichi turns fully to face Kokichi. "Alright then."

His face immediately burns with blush, but as Kokichi's cheeks become slightly pink too, he stays where he is. Conscious of how fast his heart is beating when Kokichi briefly looks him up and down, before locking their gaze. Shuichi only focuses on Kokichi's eyes as they become closer, until suddenly their lips intertwine.

Even with the space in between them, it feels completely right - completely natural. Reaching out, Shuichi leans down slightly while his hand tilts Kokichi's head up. As his hand brushes Kokichi's face, he can almost see sparkles appearing in Kokichi's eyes. And when they break, both of their eyes are shining, and both of them are smiling.

Kokichi glances around at their surroundings, and grins, "Wow Shuichi, I wouldn't expect that from you."

"W-what do you mean?" Shuichi asks defensively, "You kissed me!"

"Maybe," Kokichi acknowledges, glancing at Shuichi out of the corner of his eye, with something more in his look, "You're a pretty good kisser, y'know."