#kidao

Stood at the edge of a corridor, the two of them in a cordonedoff room following the heist, Aoko takes a moment to listen to the chaos outside.Her father shouts orders, the task force responds with a surge of obedience asthey set out to catch the culprit and retrieve the gemstone.

“I’m not turning you down now,” Aoko says.

She doesn’t understand why she’s saying it. It makes nosense. But there’s something about this moment that makes KID seem like he’snot just a magician creating tricks and more like he’s creating magic, becauseshe can feel it.

Something’s going to happen, going to change, and foronce in her life, Aoko doesn’t want to watch passively as it happens.

“No,” KID says, quiet. The smile is fuller now, and she knowsit’s real. “You’re not.”

He pauses for a moment and then, pulls her closer to hisside, a small squeak rising from her throat as Aoko avoids stumbling.

“Let’s go then,” he says. KID opens the door, sneaks out, guidingAoko along beside him. They head down the corridor, nervous laughter on the tipof Aoko’s tongue, as they make their way to the stairs.

“I don’t want to get you caught,” Aoko breathes, and… issurprised to realise she actually means it.

“Run with me then,” KID responds. His voice is light, as heshifts from a brisk walk to a small jog, urging Aoko to join him. She stumblesonce, when they reach the stairs, and the thief moves an arm around toaccommodate her, ensuring she doesn’t trip. “Run away with me, Nakamori-chan.”

“I don’t even know who you are.” She knows so little about whohe truly is that this entire moment is insane. And yet, she’sconsidering it. She wants to learn what it’s like to surround herself withmagic.

“Come with me and learn then,” KID breathes, and she inclinesher head, nodding.

By the time they reach the front entrance, they’re running.Aoko can feel eyes following her back, can hear angry shouts and outraged discussionchasing after her, but it’s all irrelevant running beside him.

It’s different, she thinks, to chasing someone. And differenttoo, when being chased alongside someone else. The adrenaline is moreuplifting, less terrifying.

Aoko’s been so… scared. But here, now. With KID? She feels excited.

His smile forces all the fight from her.

Temporarily.

Aoko moves forward, crosses her arms and looks him up and down. He does the same, like he usually does. It feels like she's being placed on a pedestal, the way he locks his gaze onto her, the heat of his stare warming her cheeks, her body, leaving her stomach feeling tight and warm.

"I've been looking for you everywhere." Aoko says, surly, as she comes to a stop in front of her.

"And you've found me," KID says, "you always do, Aoko."

She blinks, shakes her head. "You let me."

"I certainly do not." He offers a grin, pushing away, towards her. "You're like a hound, you just sniff me out, I'm sure."

"Right," Aoko deadpans, "I just follow the scent of an over-inflated ego and it always leads back to you."

She steps nearer, and after a moment, lifts her hands up, hands interlocking with his. Less like cuffs, more an embrace. He lets her, and Aoko still isn't completely certain as to why. Then he leans down to kiss her again and, ah yes, that's why.

She lifts one hand despite herself, bringing it to the back of his neck, pulling him closer to her, and then, when he's slightly off balance with that, with the kiss, she pushes him back.

KID stumbles back into the wall and it's the first time she's seen him anything less than graceful. And the moment is all hers. Aoko pushes up against him, tongue against his bottom lip, prying his mouth open, and slowly lowers her hand back down. Lifts the other from his hand to his wrist.

She pushes back completely, before leaning back, a satisfied smile on her face as she looks him back and down. KID, the phantom thief, pinned because of her. He stares back at her, cheeks flushed red, unable to stop the force of it.

"Looks like you caught me." KID breathes.

"Yes," Aoko breathes back.