Chapter Text
"Leaving already?"
It's never on a bed. It usually happens in abandoned buildings, in the darkest of rooms. And while the night sky, the stars and moon are always present when it happens, not even they are allowed to see it.
Not on purpose, at least. It would be a lie if he said he's never tried to gaze into their eyes before, as their hips meet, accompanied by wet sounds. The natural illumination from the night sky should be an aid, but it's impossible. They're never going to reveal themselves.
It's kind of… an unspoken agreement. Even when Almond has the chance of cuffing them and finally revealing who Phantom Bleu really is to the world, to himself, he never betrays their trust.
Mutual trust, the one they hold for each other, only exists in this context.
The sexual context.
Getting rid of the stress and the tension by using each other in private. It all began on accident, really, but the flirting had always been there. One sided, yet real.
"Unless you can change my mind and convince me it's completely fine to arrive late to my coworkers gathering because I was too busy fucking the criminal I should be getting arrested then-" He pauses. Slender arms hold him from behind, hands cupping his naked chest. Come on. Almond really needed to finish getting dressed. "... What, now?"
"It's been an entire month."
Phantom Bleu's voice is smooth. Never too loud, unless he's pounding into them so hard he forces the dirtiest of demands out of their pretty lips.
"So not only a criminal, but a sex addict, too? Geez."
The hands on his chest begin squeezing, and Almond sighs.
"One more round."
"What's the magic word?"
Phantom Bleu smirks behind him, squeezing their body into Almond's wide back.
"... Please, daddy."
"Okay, now without the daddy. You know how I feel about that."
What a tease. They know how to get responses from him, and at this point he isn't even trying to hide that fact. Phantom Bleu giggles and tries to make Almond turn around. Once he does, the thief bites their lip, hand going lower to cup the detective’s recently clothed cock.
“Please?”
Their heart goes crazy inside their chest when Almond’s big hands reach to cup their face, trying to stare into their eyes, to figure what their intentions really are. The lack of light certainly doesn’t help, and the fact that Phantom Bleu wishes to keep even their emotions private.
Almond yearns to know what hides behind those expressive eyes. Even in their current situation, surrounded by darkness in the middle of an abandoned manor, he can still see something spark in their eyes. Just a shimmer of light, something he can’t decode.
“You’re staring at me too much, be careful, I-...” And sometimes, Phantom Bleu wishes they could allow Almond to see them. I might melt, detective . Words that never leave their lips. No need to, the detective is leaning in, lowering his body until their lips meet.
Kissing. That, the thief can allow. Not because of some intricate plan under their sleeve, but to indulge themselves in this kind of passion. The adrenaline they get from having such a controversial lover gets their head spinning.
Saying no to Phantom Bleu is impossible for the detective. The morally questionable intimacy that the two rivals have consumes them once more, fire igniting through every kiss they share. The detective can’t (and won’t) fight it, and his hands reach lower until they cup the thief’s behind. Just knowing that a few minutes ago he’d been inside their hole and that right now it was leaking his cum was enough to give him an erection.
No one would ever suspect this from Phantom Bleu: that the thief people love and hate, the one who manages to turn every scene of robbery into an entire Broadway-esque scene, loved getting fucked into a sobbing mess. To be thrown into the floor when no one else was looking and spread open, just to have the daylights fucked out of them. And oh, the way their voice changed. Gaining more volume as the detective goes harder until they’re babbling nonsense, drooling, shaking their hips as if they were in heat.
Almond swallows their moans when he spreads their cheeks to poke at their swollen and wet hole. A thought invades the detective’s mind: what if he just… didn’t show up at the meeting. What if he gave his friends a quick call, tell them he suddenly got caught up in something and-
No, he needs to stop himself right there. Just a quick fuck and he’d be done. He can’t allow himself to fall head first into the famous thief’s spider web. He’s already betraying the law and everything he believes in by bedding this person.
“Detective…”
This person, who was currently naked save for their coat, top hat and monocle.
“You’re so hard already, detective…”
The one he should be handcuffing and handing over to the police. Not- not doing this.
“I wonder whose fault it is.”
However, the only times he’s handcuffed Phantom Bleu, it’s for sexual purposes. And even when the thought has crossed his mind, he could never be capable of doing that. And he refuses to acknowledge why.
He only stops kissing his rival to hoist them up against the wall. It needs to be quick. Sometimes he fears that the more time he spends being intimate with the thief, the deeper his heart is going to sink if his feelings continue to evolve.
Their arms hold onto him, and Almond is almost completely sure he just saw them smile. Legs lock around his torso and with just one hand, the detective frees his erection from his pants. Phantom Bleu is already panting when the reddened tip of his cock pokes at their hole. Their lips separate in an ‘o’ shape when it pushes inside all of a sudden, while the detective licks and bites at their neck.
“Aaahn… Detective…” It’s wet inside. So, so wet and warm, and Almond is hellbent on having the wanted criminal screaming his name as loud as he can. Their long legs pull him in and a shiver travels down their spine when the girth he so desired to feel once more is spreading him open from the inside.
Tight, heated and wet walls close around the detective’s length, luring him in. Warm puffs of breath escape both of them, the most delicious sounds accompanying them when Almond finds their sweet spot and rams into it without any sign of mercy.
"Fuck me, fuck me full, a-aaahh~"
An entire month can do this. For the detective it's hard to believe he can do this to someone who is clearly younger than him, and it certainly boosts his self confidence. And even when he knows he shouldn't be doing this with Phantom Bleu, a part of him feels lucky.
This is the closest he's been to intimacy with anyone for the past years.
And Phantom Bleu is insanely hot. Their thighs are big, well toned, strong enough to use the detective's hips for leverage. Not only that, but their hips, chest, just everything about the way they're shaped and-
"Oh, oh, detective Almond, right there…!"
The way they desire this so much.
Lewd. Such a lewd criminal. A criminal who enjoys fucking the enemy in an abandoned building, and loves it so much more when the detective kisses them stupid.
Tongues meet and saliva drips down their lips. Dirty, allowing their lips to be licked and bitten, drunk with passion.
Their leg shakes wildly, chest heaving when their orgasm approaches for the second time tonight. Almond is going to fuck them through it, make them pay for being so desirable he's willing to be late to the meetup just because he can't resist-
"Ahh, hah… 's too much, aaahn…"
Can't resist this goddamn criminal. Phantom Bleu once more gets what they want, but this time the detective is willing to take more.
Just the thought of having them cum non stop on his thick, large cock is enough to abandon reason and decide to continue, even when the wet hole is tightening up and it feels much, much wetter down there, which means that they already came.
The only reason Almond slows down for a few seconds is to whisper between heavy breaths in their ear.
"Phantom Bleu." He hears them whimper. "I'm not going to stop."
"You better don't, detective…" Crap. Phantom Bleu is even weaker to this side of him, the dominant one.
They barely get time to catch their breath when the detective picks up the pace. This is going to be a long night.
------------
[10:51 P.M.]☕: Almond, where are you?
[10:51 P.M.]☕: Please don't tell me you'll be late. You're supposed to bring that coffee liquor you spoke about the other day.
[10:59 P.M.]☕: I CANNOT believe this.
[11:01 P.M.]latte witch✨: Better start believing it. Has our dear detective found himself a lover, perhaps?
[11:01 P.M.]☕: Traitor.
[11:01 P.M.]☕: You better bring that liquor or consider yourself dead.
[11:03 P.M.]Madeleine: OH.
[11:03 P.M.]Madeleine: OH MY GOD DID HE REALLY FIND A LOVER
[11:03 P.M.]Madeleine: let us meet them 🥺
[11:06 P.M.]latte witch✨: If Almond really found a lover and is busy with them… then he won't be reading our texts any time soon. Why are we texting, by the way? We are centimeters away from each other.
[11:07 P.M.] ☕: Almond trapped us here with his betrayal.
[11:07 P.M.]☕: Unbelievable.
[1:21 A.M.]☕: May God forgive you because I won't.
------------
The detective knew he'd have to answer some questions that night, but reading the group chat with his friends still made him groan.
Phantom Bleu isn't just the submissive type that lets others take care of everything- they adore showering their lover with bites all over his neck and shoulders, claiming him. They're good at taking initiative, and before Almond left, their last round consisted of the thief riding a handcuffed detective. That meant, their adventure wouldn't be possible to hide.
Espresso actually forgave him, because at least he didn't forget about the liquor. And even got him more bottles, much to Madeleine's shock.
"Baaabe, share some with me~! You have way too much!"
"Get your own."
Almond grinned. Memories from that night were so bright.
Latte had been spot on about her suspicions, yet she didn't get the entire truth out of Almond, who lied his way through the issue and convinced her that he was seeing a woman he used to work with.
"A very passionate partner you've found ", Latte pointed out, eyes focused on the evidence on his neck.
And Almond was glad none of them mentioned Phantom Bleu.
How could they? It was his best kept secret. They'd never guess Almond betrayed the law to screw around with the wanted criminal. Their expectations for his morals and ethics were probably too high to consider such betrayal.
The secret lives on.
Curiosity threatens to take over, sometimes. Almond knows some of the marks he leaves on their skin are visible, and sometimes he finds himself scanning people up and down on the streets. But no one in their right mind would expose hickeys proudly, like medals, or at least that's what he thinks.
Phantom Bleu knows when to find him. Knows how to seduce him. Their hands have learned which buttons to push to make the detective drop his righteous facade. The risk seems to be entertaining and dangerously arousing to them, because now they've begun locking themselves into small places with Almond when the police have arrived at the crime scene and assume Phantom Bleu is far gone with the jewels.
Small, dark places. Caught in an embrace, the two of them smile. Phantom Bleu hums a tune that he's grown very familiar with- The swan. He nuzzles their hair, allowing an enamoured sigh to leave his lips while he listens to the gentle, loving humming.
In moments like these, it's all so genuine, it's ironically pure.
It's scary.
Because such a thing would never work. It's a doomed affair, nothing else- nothing to be taken seriously. And with that in mind, Almond still catches himself daydreaming. He holds a cup of coffee in his hand and a dream that won't come true inside his heart.
In order to cast aside the everblooming feelings, the detective knows he needs to break off whatever they have but-
Fuck. I'm in too deep.
It's stupid, really. They've never spoken that much, it's all been always physical, so why is it that he longs to hold their hand as he takes them on a date. He wants to hear their laughter. Dance around the house when the radio blesses them with a tune both of them enjoy.
Almond wonders if he might be getting too old, and the fear of growing old and lonely is manifesting itself this way.
"Ah!"
Torn away from the daydream, Almond realizes he's bumped into someone.
"Oh, crap, sorry, I-"
His gaze meets blue eyes behind glasses and long, blonde hair. A very attractive someone, wearing a navy turtleneck, matching beret and black pants. The sun is setting and time seems to stop when they look at each other.
This person… Who are they? Almond feels like his breath has been stolen away. Why do they seem so familiar?
"Seems like I was too deep in my own thoughts and didn't notice my surroundings. My bad."
"Y-Yeah, me too."
Unable to pull away from the shocked blue eyes that look at him with so much curiosity, Almond swallows saliva loudly.
"You're not hurt, right?"
"Oh, no no, I'm alright."
Of course. Not like they fell down or anything. Damn it, Almond, what is wrong with you?!
However, as awkward as the situation might seem, none of them are moving. Quickly, Almond remembers his manners and sticks out his hand, still unable to break eye contact.
"Name's Almond, by the way. Detective Almond."
And the blue eyed angel seems to have already known that fact. Their long hair shifts oddly, until a small grumpy-looking cat appears from between the light strands. The cat meows at it's owner, who smiles gently. What an absurd situation. Is there really any need for introductions for two strangers who probably won't meet ever again?
Yet something grips at Almond's heart strings and makes him stay.
"Roguefort. And this is Lord Crumbles III."
"Oh. Is he mad at me because I bumped into you?"
The stranger seems to be having an inner conflict. They fix their glasses clumsily, finally breaking eye contact to stare at a nearby tree like it's the most interesting thing to observe.
"Maybe a little. Lord Crumbles was napping, so…"
"Can I make it up to you? I know how annoying cats can be when awoken. Got one of those at home." A cute black cat that he certainly wasn't fond of. Of course not.
Wait.
That- He didn't mean that. He spoke without thinking, and that's the most unusual event that's happened to him lately.
Even more unusual than making a habit out of bedding the enemy.
"How would you do that?"
There's something in their eyes. A glimpse of a secret.
Almond takes a deep breath. Is this okay? His relationship with the thief is just a convenient one- to use each other for sexual relief. They just happened to be incredibly compatible in bed matters. He didn't care for them. Of course he didn't.
He couldn't.
"Can I treat you to a cup of coffee? And cake, maybe?"
Almond does NOT care for Phantom Bleu.
It's strange. He's getting much more adrenaline from a small exchange like this and from his affairs with the wanted criminal than from solving cases and doing his job.
"... Is that really okay?"
The quiet sadness in their voice didn't go unnoticed by the detective. They're trying to hide something, and the detective is horribly interested. Part of him knows that it's because this angel with cute glasses and a cat reminds him way too much of Phantom Bleu. Maybe the hairstyle is a new trend that Almond doesn't know about.
He wonders if the age gap is enough to throw off this stranger and make them uncomfortable.
"Oh. I mean, yes. But, you're not forced to accept, you know." I'm an adult, I can take rejection.
Roguefort clearly meant something else, judging by their body language. They were probably asking if they had a partner to be faithful to, without using those exact words.
Does he? Phantom Bleu is not a partner. They're just a lover. Yes, just that. The person he's fucked into oblivion so many times. The person he kisses with passion, swallowing their moans like they're the most delicious treat. Not only that, Phantom Bleu is an enemy.
“I didn’t say no. But, I get to choose the place.”
Sweet like honey, the voice of the angel reaches his ears. Though, the detective makes a mental note to himself to stop comparing this person to an angel. Idealizing strangers is never a good idea.
------------
The slightly awkward first date wasn’t the last one.
What used to be shy smiles and a rather dry conversation turned into an almost daily setting. The sadness in the features of Roguefort never really left, but it sure began shifting. One time, Almond was blessed enough to hear them burst out in laughter, so much that they even had to wipe a tear that escaped their right eye.
Learning from each other happened naturally. Now Roguefort knew about Walnut, knew about her current obsession with becoming a detective like her father in order to catch Phantom Bleu, which was oddly amusing to the blonde.
Almond also learned that Roguefort did have a job. They worked mostly from their own home, fixing and rearranging documents and such. At times, they text him that they can’t meet up because there’s just too much to do, and that’s okay.
It’s nice, what’s starting to grow between them. With healthy distances.
And it isn’t like the thief just vanished from the detective’s mind and heart, but this is the closest he’ll ever be to letting go of them. He can’t keep up with a secret and risky relationship forever. He needs to settle down eventually for the sake of himself and his daughter, and if he’s reading the signs right, maybe Roguefort has the same mutual interest.
The adrenaline of his secret lover won’t be eternal. It wears off, and the higher he climbs, the greater the fall will be.
Which is why he never expected Phantom Bleu to burst into his room in the middle of the night, months after their last encounter. Almond still had that horrible habit of daydreaming about them and it would be a lie if he said this scenario never crossed his mind but… watching it happen in real life? Incredible.
Phantom Bleu climbs into his bed, where the detective was sitting shirtless. It had been yet another hot night with coffee induced insomnia.
“Why?”
He gulps. Of course. Just abandoning his lover like that was an asshole move. He should’ve been more responsible with them.
The thief straddles the detective’s lap and realization sinks in all of a sudden for both of them. They’re in a bed. They’ve never fucked in a bed. And it’s where the detective sleeps every night, sheets and pillows full of his manly scent. Frustration wavers for Phantom Bleu, a familiar heat pooling in their crotch. It’s the same for Almond, who bites his lip to suppress a groan of satisfaction.
So many fantasies of the criminal on his bed are suddenly swarming his mind. His hands have the natural urge to grasp their hips and pull them closer but his mouth is faster.
“We need to talk, don’t we?”
It’s a whisper. It has to be. Walnut is sleeping a few rooms away and Almond can’t afford to traumatize his daughter in any way or to disappoint her at the same time with the revelation that Detective Almond, her father and person he looked up to the most, is (was) sleeping with Phantom Bleu of all people.
“Why did you disappear? I know you and I are enemies, detective, but that’s… low.”
Their eyes meet, as usual, in darkness.
“... Phantom Bleu.”
And even though the evidence of his own doings in the thief’s heart are right there, in front of him, seated on his lap, Almond wants to believe this won’t hurt them.
“I can’t do this anymore. There’s someone else I’m interested in.”
Silence. Deafening silence.
“They are- their name is-” Cough. A detective should not, under any circumstance, share those details with the enemy. Not even one he’s been fucking for a little more than a year. Someone who he has a forbidden bond with. “... What I can tell you is, they’re someone I can see in broad daylight. Someone that I can… see myself building a future with.”
A pause. “So… It’s over, detective?”
It’s unfair. This isn’t right. The sadness in their voice is crushing him alive.
“It is, Phantom Bleu.”
Their grip on the detective softens, and Almond begins worrying. What. Has. He. Done.
What if the thief snaps and hurts his dear Roguefort? What if he can't stop it?
"... Detective, you can stop digging your nails into my thighs. It hurts ."
They meant more than the pain of nails digging into him. He doesn't know if he's lucky that he can't see the sadness in their eyes. Even now, the detective aches for the criminal. Yearns to know their secrets, to hold their gaze as they make love instead of just relentlessly fucking.
And that is something he needs to let go.
"I won't hurt them. It would be a lie if I said I've never seen you two together, detective."
That's right. Almond sighs, angry at himself for forgetting that Phantom Bleu is, indeed, a criminal who studies their victims.
Of course they knew.
And just imagining the pain of seeing the person you're hopelessly in love with dating someone else is filling him with guilt already.
"But, detective…" They lean closer. "Grant me my last selfish wish."
Hearts pounding so loud and with such strength, he fears that alone might awake Walnut.
A nod. Then, the thief continues.
"Hold me close."
Roguefort flashes through his mind. They're not dating yet, they haven't even held hands and, although Almond is going to confess about this breakup anyway, he lets himself indulge in the sensation of holding his forbidden lover close, as they wished.
It's their farewell, after all.
"Until the sun rises, while you sleep… Hold me close, and I promise I'll be gone before your alarm even rings."
Without kisses and without sex, the intimacy they share for the last time is more about letting them sneak into his bed so they can feel each other in a very different way.
The bed is big enough, a blank space that Almond’s ex wife used to occupy. A space that, as it turns out, is perfectly built for Phantom Bleu.
Most of their clothes are on the floor. Top hat, boots, cloak, vest- even the monocle has been set aside and Almond thinks he's never seen the thief as vulnerable as this. Now, he really could arrest him and do society a favour, to eliminate the one who has stolen so many jewels and treasures, causing distress to those who… have more than enough riches.
The only ones who hate them are the rich. Everyone else admires them, even awaits them. Cheers for them.
So, handing them over to the police would be a favour to… the rich? At his age, the detective has started questioning the world ever since the affairs with the thief began.
The person that is cuddling close to him… What have they gone through to end up being a fugitive? An artist and a criminal?
The sigh that leaves their lips reminds Almond just how much he’s going to miss them. Strong willed, he refuses to lean in and kiss those inviting plump lips that he's always wanted to see without the veil of darkness censoring every detail. If he kissed them, he might not be able to stop anymore.
And, Gods, how he’s going to miss their tongue. Their hands. Their warmth. The song they hummed for him.
The sounds that escaped them, rising in volume and pitch when he hit just right inside, forcing drool out of their lips- saliva that he’d lick up to continue kissing them nonstop and- damn. This is a terrible idea.
Every sexual thought he has about the thief is thrown into the garbage as soon as their head adjusts into his chest, something wet on those long eyelashes he’s only felt through kisses and the tips of his fingers. Never seen up close.
Right now… If he shifted fast enough, he could turn on the light on the nightstand. However, that would definitely ruin their last night together and have Phantom Bleu blast out of the bed with cat-like reflexes. Almond has seen them under lights many, many times, specially at the crime scene before they make their great escape. Once, he inquired about the reason why Phantom Bleu preferred to be intimate in the darkness, they replied it was much easier to recognise someone upon seeing them closer if there was light.
It was for privacy. Almond allowed himself to get so deep into this relationship he even respected a criminal's desire to remain anonymous.
And their differences, the ones at the core of their very beings, were what would pull them apart, in the end.
As magnetic as their passion was, it wasn’t meant to be.
Almond did as requested and held them close, strong and big arms wrapped around their slim body. Lost in the warmth, in the sadness that lingers, none of them say a word. He can’t comfort them, so he lets them cry quietly into his chest.
It hurts.
He hates that it hurts.
The ghost of a kiss that haunts his lips is there when he awakes without them, and his bed has never felt so empty.
------------
They never thought they’d be jealous of themselves.
Roguefort looked at their reflection in the mirror, lower lip twitching, hands gripping the sink. Phantom Bleu’s clothes are scattered around the bathroom, Lord Crumbles III making tiny noises as it sniffs around.
It isn’t that they doubt the detective’s passion. All they do is blame themselves for allowing such a situation to escalate and become so horribly complicated.
That day they met, when they bumped into each other in the middle of a particularly beautiful sunset, Roguefort knew they should’ve taken the brief apology and continued their way. An impossible task. The temptation of sharing a normal scenario with Almond was too much for someone like them.
And it was dreamlike. The date they’ve been dreaming about for so, so long. Finally in their grasp but...
That meant sacrifices needed to be made.
Phantom Bleu was the sacrifice. As a lover, never as a criminal.
Then, why did it hurt so much? How come no matter how much they looked in the mirror, they couldn’t find themselves in it? Tears come naturally, knees trembling until they hit the bathroom floor. A purr, warmth, not Almond’s, but welcome anyway.
“Crumbles, what do I do?”
The feline’s head tilts slightly.
“I want him so bad, it’s stupid. I don’t even care he has a daughter, I-”
A sob, and the little cat’s paws are kneading their thighs.
“Is it bad that I want to raise her? What the hell is happening to me?”
He just broke up with me to be with… me? What am I doing to him?
Is this what falling in love felt like? Like a literal fall? Because they could feel something in their chest breaking, while their head spins with many thoughts exploding at once. Truth. He needs to know the truth. It’s going to come out eventually and they can’t let them go through that much pain, assuming he'd find out in the worst possible way.
“He won’t arrest us, Lord Crumbles, I know he won’t.” Trembling hands lift the feline’s body so their foreheads bump. “Phantom Bleu truly is a thief of hearts, after all… right?”
------------
“You have work tonight, don’t you?”
The aroma of the cafe they’re so used to by now is soothing, even when there’s pain in the unofficial couple’s chests. It’s their own little paradise, filled with coffee and cakes. Roguefort plays with their hair idly as they watch Almond drink from his third cup of espresso.
I wish I was that cup.
“Yeah. Phantom Bleu promised to show up at the grand opening of the art gallery.”
"They're releasing that new collection about nature, right?"
"Right. The only reason I'm hired to be there, is because Phantom Bleu promised to show up- not to steal. Didn't mention anything about that and, you know, Phantom Bleu usually steals jewels and treasures, not… other people's art."
Almond isn’t stupid. He can tell something is happening to Roguefort, despite their best efforts to continue the conversation. They look sadder than usual, like something happened that they don’t know how to speak about. Even when they giggle, it sounds a little melancholic.
“Word about that thief spreads fast, I knew you’d be working that case again tonight.”
“Roguefort.”
Gulp. He couldn’t have noticed so early, right…? Blue eyes scan around, deciding to stare at their half eaten red velvet cake.
“Mm?”
“Roguefort, baby.” His hand reaches for theirs and against better judgement, they allow it. They’ve rejected his hugs and other gestures before, just in case muscle memory decides to remember the shape of Phantom Blue’s body. “I won’t force you to tell me what’s wrong, but you know. I’m here. I want to always be here for you.”
So unfair so unfair so unfair so unfair
“There are things you still need to know about me before you decide you want to be here.”
The blonde’s eyes begin to water against their will. Their fingers intertwine and Almond pulls their hand closer, to kiss their knuckles gently.
“And you still need to get to know Walnut if you want to keep me company as well. That little girl can be a hurricane. A very smart hurricane.” He chuckles and it makes Roguefort’s heart stop briefly. “Honey, you’re safe here. With me.” Their eyes meet, and Roguefort gives him the most defeated smile.
Why do I have to lie to you?
“Am I, really?”
“Of course. I’m a detective, after all.”
“Isn’t your nickname ‘Detective Slow’?”
That is at least enough to make both of them laugh. A beautiful sound that is interrupted by the detective’s phone, and in that moment, Almond lets go of their hand. Roguefort fears this might be their last interaction because, even though they’re sure he won’t arrest them, that doesn’t mean he will forgive them. Oh, how they wished they could hold his hand forever. To engage freely with the safety, the love he offered.
“Do you… really support the police with their pursuit?”
Taken aback, Almond raises an eyebrow.
“I don’t want to get political yet, I just wanted to know.”
“Adrenaline started hitting the moment I got that text, so I have no choice but to be blunt with you, baby.” The detective said as he stood up, putting the cash on the table in order to pay for all of their stuff. “I don’t know anymore.” I don’t know how I feel about Phantom Bleu, either - a confession deep inside his thoughts.
Roguefort wasn’t expecting him to kiss their forehead.
But he did.
And it’s so bittersweet, they start tearing up again.
“Tell me your secrets when you’re ready. I won’t push you, Rogue.”
Oh, you’ll know all of them pretty soon.
“... Almond. Good luck. And by the way, I love it when you call me baby.”
Though they're supposed to be the thief, the way Almond smiles with so much affection at them is enough to steal their heart for the millionth time.
"I did get an invite, want me to be there?"
The detective shakes his head. Aside from the awkwardness of having his… ex? watch him with his new partner, there could be potential danger. And there's no way he could allow Roguefort to get hurt.
"I gotta go now. Please, stay safe."
"Almond."
They stand up right before he leaves. Standing on their tiptoes, barely reaching the height they need, they still manage to kiss his cheek.
And both of them are pretty sure one of the waitresses just squealed in joy at the sight. The one that usually serves their table, who always looks like she's blushing, a sweet colour that mixes nicely with her skin tone and her pink fluffy hair.
It makes both of them grin.
"I'm rooting for you. Take care, Almond. I have a feeling tonight you'll manage to catch them."
There's no one in the world as lucky as the detective right now. To have such reassuring words and gentle gestures from a person as attractive and wonderful like Roguefort? Yes, please. The gentle kiss, that feels oddly nostalgic in his skin, will stay there to remind him in the end, it's all going to be worth it.
Once he’s gone, Roguefort grasps something inside their pocket. It’s a little case where they keep Phantom Bleu’s monocle, right there, hidden in plain sight, because maybe a part of them really wants to be caught. Really wants this heartache to be over.
From under their beret, the little cat meows.
“Yes, Lord Crumbles III, I, too, wish for this to go as well as it can go.”
Meowing. Paws kneading their scalp without claws.
“... And yes, I might actually not wear the monocle tonight. Would that outfit be... too much?”