Vineyard [Detective Conan fanfic, Vermouth x Gin]

Chapter 46 Guinea Pig

Author's note: New chapter 46 as of 25/10/2024. Sorry for the long delay and the short chapter. I didn't have much time for fanfic this year. Work and everything. I'll try to update as much as I can. See you next year. Enjoy and have a wonderful day.

Visit me on Tumblr for artworks and interesting tidbits: wormwoodwine

Chapter 46 Guinea Pig

It was a morning like any morning. Gin slowly stirred awake, breathing in the peace and comfort his cozy cocoon provided. For once Vermouth's nuisance hair left his nostrils alone. Then, he paused. Strange. He clearly sensed the blonde curling in his embrace, her warmth radiating beneath his arm, her back against his chest. Her back was to him so where was her hair? His eyes fluttered open.

Vermouth's signature golden locks were gone. Instead, the back of a bald, white head consumed his vision. Instantly on guard, he popped up from the mattress, hands reaching for his guns hidden under the bed.

The figure under the blanket turned around, facing him. The left white eye with no iris chillingly stared at him. The wrinkles crumpled with a smile. Gin recognized the face instantly as Rum's voice echoed. "Good morning, Gin."

It would have been very believable had Vermouth finished disguising the rest of her voluptuous body. Gin gritted his teeth and squeezed his eyes shut, his arms limp on his sides. His muscles relaxed for a moment of reprieve, then taut when a howl exploded at the top of his lungs. "WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU?"

Of all people in the world, that woman thought spooking him by disguising as his former superior ... IN HIS OWN BED ... was a great idea.

Vermouth grinned, caressing her mask. "Looks good, doesn't it?"

He growled, his fists hard as rocks. "Take it off!"

Her smirk swelled. His anger was proof of her success. "Aw, don't you like cuddling all night long with sweet old Rum?"

His stomach churned. His dinner worked its way up his digestive system. "What's gotten into you all of the sudden? What have ever done—" Then the realization hit him like a brick. "Don't tell me ... I made you sleep on the floor once! Once!"

"Oh, my." Her hand theatrically covered her mouth, feigning a gasp. "I couldn't possibly be so petty."

He could only roll his eyes and spat each word slowly. "Why ... why him though?"

"His face has uniquely difficult textures." She was correct in her assessment. Rum had very distinctive features. His facial shape, wrinkles, left eye, and intimidating presence. The look on Gin's face alone was worth her commitment to wearing a white contact lens through the night to sell Rum's imposing aura, which was completely unnecessary, one might think. She smiled as she turned on the light and carefully removed the contact lens covering her left iris.

"Bullshit!" There were infinite options that would be less traumatizing. But she had to pick one for maximum shock value.

A smirk dangled on her lips. "Oh, count your blessings. I've spared you from a much worse fate."

He crossed his arms and scoffed. "Name one disguise that is worse than Rum."

A mischievous gleam flashed in her eyes as she approached her man. She drawled as slowly as humanly possible. "Shuichi Akai."

His face instantly fell. His expression was that of pure terror. "... no."

"Yes." She cupped his cheeks. "Imagine finding yourself snuggling up to your one and only arch nemesis—Shuichi Akai."

He swatted her hands away in disgust. "You sick, twisted witch."

"How about Bourbon? Wouldn't you two be so sweet together?" Her eyes twinkled.