Sugar, Sugar ★

Chapter 2 - 謎.

A few weeks had passed, and Ameshin was quickly recovering. His memories, however, were proven to be forever lost.

Ame awoke to see the teen in black sleeping by his side. Head resting on arms. A gentle smile played the amnesiac's lips. Hattori always seemed so down. He was darker than most people he had met so far. Sure, everyone was upset by the fact that the Great Detective of The East was forever gone and had practically 'died'. But Hattori was by far the one that was mostly affected. And... Maybe Mouri Ran.

Running his fingertips through Hattori's hair, Ame sighed. He made everyone he met smile at least once, but Hattori. He's absolutely certain that Hattori would look so pretty with a smile... What in the world caused him to fall into a pit of depression?

Ame stopped his track of thoughts when Hattori groaned. He kept stroking Hattori's hair.

"Morning, sleepy head."

Greeted the amnesiac, giggling softly to himself. Paikaru was like a huge cat. Grumpy, getting hurt all the time, mysterious, does whatever...

"Mnnnghh... Five more minutes..."

Paikaru groaned. He wasn't used to the warmth he was enveloped in, but he had to admit. He was enjoying it. Plus, it had been a while since he had gotten some good sleep. Paikaru wasn't exactly the most wealthiest and practically lived in poverty. Sure, he'd often stay with one of the organisation's member's, but he didn't exactly like having to rely on people unless he was purposely toying with them.

"It's okay, you can stay here as long as you like."

The amnesiac reassured, patting Paikaru's head.

。。。

"Hattori, how did you get those?"

It was around noon, and curiosity had been a ticking time bomb for Shinichi. He wanted answers, and he needed them now.

Eyes bright and filled with stars, Shinichi gestured towards Heiji's burn scars. Specifically, the ones which covered about forty percent of his face.

Paikaru blinked, involuntarily tracing the marks on his face with his long fingers. The sniper had considered each scar on his body as a battle trophy. Proof of his strength and resilience. But theses burn scars were inflicted for reasons other than himself. They were humiliating. A painful reminder that he's human too. That he also has a pressure point like everyone else.

These were scars he had gotten from saving a certain idiot from a horrible case of fire.

"These... "

Paikaru starts, pausing as his voice had hitched. He glared intensely at the spotless floor, then at his hands.

"Some stupid guy who's always puttin' people before himself thought it'd be a good idea ta save every person he could when a business building went on fire. That stupid guy was someone I cared about dearly and..."

Cared about dearly? So like a lover? Big frown, narrowed eyes, glaring, muscles tensed up...

Paikaru couldn't help but remember the scorching flames that prickled at his skin as he guarded Shinichi with all he could. The tight grip Shinichi had around Paikaru's neck... His burn scars are hurting again.

"And?"

Ame leans close, reaching out a hand. Paikaru almost cringed like a puppy getting scolded.

"Well, I dragged him out, 'f course. And basically got these in tha process."

The sniper said, this time, more firmly with a forced laugh. Somehow regaining his composure before feeling Ame cupping his cheek with a single hand.

"Wow, you're so heroic! How's that person now? Are you two lovers?"

Paikaru almost fell out of his seat. He was very close to swatting Shinichi's hand, but he couldn't. He kept still, Ame's hand still resting on his cheek. He could feel himself growing hotter in the face. What in the world is going on? Pandemonium broke in his mind as he attempted to process everything that was happening. Shinichi seems like a foreign subject.

"Nn... No, I... Uh... He... Well, they, um."

He? So they're a guy?

"I... Haven't seen them fer ages... "

Paikaru stammered, ignoring the last question. He wouldn't say that it was a lie. It was almost true. Kudou Shinichi truly did die. And the person before Paikaru now is a stranger.

"Hehhhh."

Hummed Ame, admiring Paikaru's teal coloured eyes. Hattori was very pretty and handsome. And he seemed very awkward to Shinichi, and it made him dangerously curious.

"Um, uh, w-work. I've... Got work!"

Flushed cheeks, flickering gaze...

The sniper finally laughed, but it was forced and unconvincing. He finally flew out of the seat, bobbing his head before rushing out, slamming the door behind him. It happened so quickly. Ame didn't exactly react after several seconds later.

"Ha-Hattori!?"

He called, almost stumbling out of the bed. If he could, he would've ran after the Osakan, but his body was still aching and the bruises... Ow.

The amnesiac sighs, sinking into the sheets. Catching a glimpse of a familiar mark stretched across his right arm. Was that always there...?