Vineyard [Detective Conan fanfic, Vermouth x Gin]

Chapter 44 The Unexpected

Author's note: New chapters 44 & 45 as of 21/9/2023. I am sorry it took so long. I've planned this arc for years since even before the rewrite. As a result, there were too many things jumbled together. It took me a while to whittle the scenes down into a coherent storyline. Hope you enjoy the update.

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Chapter 44 The Unexpected

Warning: Depictions of hunting live animals.

Saying that Akai was confused was an understatement. First thing in the morning, he was at his door, staring at Vermouth and Kate standing before him. He looked up and down, taking in the literal mountain of belonging on his porch, not to mention Kate's bulging backpack. Then, Akai scanned Gin on the other side of the street who was loading up the car in the driveway. "Come again? Why am I babysitting?"

"Thanks to you, I am compelled to participate in a hunting trip. In Scotland. In January. In the middle of nowhere." Vermouth pressed her lips into a razor-thin line, ready to slice her opponent into pieces. "To sharpen my senses."

"I'm sorry. You've lost me." Akai forced an innocent smile, hoping to abate her anger.

Vermouth crossed his arms, her gaze turning Akai's face into a pincushion. "Oh, I don't know. Something about my expensive taste rubbing off on people. Then, there is this nonsense about losing my edge."

"I'm ... so sorry." Akai had an overwhelming urge to curse. Gin you .... Narc! All he did was state an observation in a private conversation. Between men. Where was the honor?

Vermouth admired her beautifully manicured nails, which would soon be covered in muck. "So while I will be rolling on the cold, hard, damp ground, you will be babysitting. How does that sound?"

Akai sighed but still maintained a polite composure. "Perfect."

"I'm glad we agree." The corners of Vermouth's lips curled up into a smile. She crouched down and showered a very displeased Kate with kisses. "Bye, sweetie. Be good for Akai, okay?"

"I want to hunt too." Kate pouted.

"When you're a bit older, baby." Vermouth gently pinched her cheek in delight.

"Not fair. I want to go." Kate crossed her little arms, stomping her little feet.

"How about we bring back a deer and you decide what we cook?"

"A really big deer?" Kate's pout softened.

"A really big deer."

"Very well." Kate nodded, brightening up. "I forgive you."

"Alright, bye sweetie." Vermouth, again, peppered the girl's golden locks with kisses. By then, Gin was already in the car, honking. His hands were itching to pull the trigger and kill something. Vermouth rolled her eyes and prolonged the goodbye out of spite until the excessive honking drew dirty looks from passersby. "I'm coming!" She snapped and earned a moment of peace.

"Bye, mommy. Bye, rude daddy!" Kate waved her parents off until she couldn't see their car anymore.

"We're about to go for a walk. Fancy joining us?" Akai held the door and waited for Kate.

"I want to feed duckies!"

"Sure. Let's get you settled first." Akai watched Kate running to Akemi, giving her a hug, even giving his mother a hug, which Mary reciprocated—a small miracle in and of itself. Because his mother didn't do hugs, her children included. Then, his gaze landed on the mountain of luggage. A little prayer for his back and off he went. He could have sworn Vermouth double-packed everything just to mess with him.