I Dare You {Reed900 Fic} (Has Been Revamped)

Chapter 12

Conan heard everything that went down in Gavin's room. Yet, he almost wished he hadn't heard anything. The cries, the shouts, the attacks, and probably worst of all, the silence. He wanted to help the detective but he knew it would only worsen the situation if he intruded. So he sat there on the couch, waiting, but he didn't know what for.

While he felt guilty for what he had done, it wasn't the guilt that hurt him most of all. It was the detective's words that stung the worse.  He thought that maybe the detective had finally gotten past seeing him as just "a piece of plastic". But the way he insulted him, the venom behind his words. Perhaps it is true when people say that old habits die hard.

"Maybe it would be best if I left and returned to the precinct."  Conan thought to himself. He had made the detective very upset, maybe his presence was the reason he had yet to leave his room. 

He contemplated for a few moments before deciding. He was sure that someone on the night shift would allow him back into the precinct. He picked up the case file up from the dining table and slipped on his jacket. He was almost at the door when he saw the bag of abandoned groceries still sitting on the kitchen counter. It had already been a few hours and if the more perishable items were not put away soon they would likely go bad. Maybe it wouldn't be too bad if he stayed a little bit longer, just to put them away.

He started to put the groceries away, being careful to only open the necessary cupboards. It only took him a few minutes until he was finished. He gave the apartment one last glance before heading for the door.

"Where do you think you're going tin can?"

Conan whipped around and saw the detective leaning tiredly against the wall. His hair was a mess and the bags that were normally underneath his eyes were even a deeper purple. The tear stains and sullen eyes complete his disheveled look.

Conan was a bit shocked to see Gavin behind him. "I was about to head back to the precinct. I didn't want to intrude in a place I figured I wasn't welcomed in anymore." He answered.

"Heh, to me it looks more like you're trying to run away." Gavin weakly retorted, his voice was rough but quiet.

Conan let out a sad smile, "Perhaps I was."

Gavin moved away from the wall and sat down on the couch. "Before you leave I should say something." He motioned towards the empty space on the couch, "Sit, please."

Conan followed Gavin's request and stiffly took a seat next to him. The pair sat in silence for an excruciatingly long moment. Gavin seemed to be struggling to figure out what he wanted to say.

Gavin sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Sorry, I'm not great with this emotional shit." He mumbled.

"It's alright, take your time." Conan patiently replied.

"...I'm sorry Nines." He finally said, catching Conan's full attention. "For what I said... I may have taken it too far. I just was really really pissed off... both at you and myself" He paused, his anxiety kicking in full gear. "Y-You're not just some piece of plastic to me anymore a-and I didn't mean what I said."

Conan looked down at the detective, who was staring a hole into the floor. "Thank you, detective, your apology means a lot. However, I feel like I should be the one saying the apologies. I breached your privacy and I should not have done that and I am truly sorry."

Gavin looked up from his spot on the floor. "Heh, it's alright. It was bound to happen eventually I suppose. And, I mean, you were right."

"Right about what detective?"

"About how I've been holding onto it all this time has been bad for me I guess," Gavin answered embarrassed, running his hand through his tangled hair.