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Chance was a patient man—at least, that's what he thought.
But after waiting, and waiting. He eventually grew tired. He had practically handed them the perfect bait, but…
After weeks—there was nothing.
When was he going to text me already?
He tapped his fingers lightly on the table, trying to distract himself. But a voice cuts through his train of thought.
“Why the long face?” Consigliere asks, raising an eyebrow.
“It's nothing.” Chance blurts out, just a little too quickly. He can’t bring himself to say a word about what had happened—or about his situation with the detective. So he stays silent.
Consigliere exhales sharply, clearly exasperated. “And that's the problem with all of you… never saying a damned thing.” He turns, and finally meets Chance’s gaze. “Whatever it is, you ought to get it settled soon. The big day is coming.”
“You… know that, right?”
Chance nods, his chest becoming tight.
“Good.” Consigliere’s eyes linger on them for a moment before he picks up a sword—the Darkheart, the very one Chance had stolen. He grips it firmly, testing its weight. “I’ll be back… Gotta take care of stuff before the boss comes back.”
Without another word, he steps out, the door clicking shut behind him. Just like that, it's quiet again. Chance lets out a sigh, before pulling out his phone. Still waiting.
And then, after endless weeks of waiting, the device buzzes. He immediately snatches it up. It's a message, from an unknown number.
Hey. It’s been a while, Blackjack.
Chance’s thumb hovered over the screen for a second before he typed back, careful not to seem too eager.
Did you miss me, Detective?
Seconds stretched into minutes. Finally, a reply came.
Maybe.
His heart practically skipped a beat. He started to type a reply, but another message arrived, interrupting him.
It’s a string of coordinates. And a time—tonight.
Did iTrapped want him to meet them there?
Before he could process it, another message popped up.
A date. I’ll be waiting, Chance.
Chance nearly fainted.
Obviously. Obviously it was a trap. He could practically see the warning signs flashing in his head. And yet… When he looked closer at the coordinates, he couldn't help but pause. The coordinates were for an amusement park nearby. Was this really it—a date?
Things were getting interesting.
I mean, he should definitely know better—but how could he resist? This was a once in a lifetime opportunity!
So he prepared. He changed into something more comfortable, discarding his blazer and blouse for a thin, grey sweater and black trousers. And of course—he couldn’t forget his iconic black fedora and sunglasses.
He arrived early. He waited at the entrance, his phone in hand. If they didn't arrive soon, they were going to be late. He tapped his phone, growing impatient. On the surface, he tried to appear calm—nonchalant even—but beneath his facade, his stomach was churning. He was a mix of nerves—filled with anticipation, and excitement for the night ahead.
He scanned the area, eyes glancing around. Maybe this was a mistake. He should’ve known the detective was the type to pull tricks like this…
“Looking for something?”
Chance froze. His head snaps to the direction of the voice.
iTrapped is there, standing casually, almost too relaxed. He’s in more comfortable attire—a white turtleneck and a blue coat, wearing thin black and gold-rimmed glasses. He clears his throat, and looks at him expectantly.
“Nah,” Chance replies smoothly. “Seems like you were the one looking for me. Did you miss me much?”
iTrapped tilts his head to the side. “Who knows.”
Chance opens his mouth, then pauses. His stomach growls almost audibly, and looks away, trying to hide his embarrassment. “Perhaps we could get something to eat first…”
iTrapped smiles, a faint sparkle flickering in his eyes. “Sure. How does cotton candy sound?”
Chance grins. “Whatever you say, Detective.”
iTrapped lets out a soft chuckle, before offering them his hand. “Now, let’s go. We don’t have much time.”
Chance blinks, clearly confused. “What do you mean? We have plenty of—”
Before he can finish, iTrapped grabs his wrist firmly and pulls him along. Chance is startled at first, but then he quickly intertwines his fingers with iTrapped’s. He glances away, his cheeks blooming a light crimson. And if they noticed anything… Well, he kept his lips sealed.
A few dollars spent and a little while later, they each have a stick of cotton candy. For a moment, it feels like any ordinary day—like a casual outing between friends, and nothing more. Totally not a notorious, infamous criminal and his favourite detective together. Totally.
And if Chance could just close his eyes, he could pretend this was a date. That this was real. That somehow, just for a little while, this was something they could actually have.
He takes a careful bite of the cotton candy, letting the sweetness linger on his tongue. He glances at iTrapped—the detective—and it hits him all at once… Their beautiful blue eyes, as clear and endless as the ocean, looking back at him. He feels his chest tighten, and his heart skip a beat, in a way that feels both thrilling, but also terrifying.
Then, he notices a smudge of cotton candy clinging to iTrapped’s lips.
“You’ve got a little something,” he begins, pointing at his face.
iTrapped freezes mid-bite. “I do?” He touches his lips, then tries to wipe it away with a finger—but it stubbornly clings on, leaving him slightly flustered.
“Here, let me,” Chance says softly, leaning closer. He wipes it away carefully, and for a second, they hear iTrapped’s breath hitch. Before he knows it, he brings his finger to his lips, and licks it lightly, savoring the sweetness left on his tongue.
“Mm, it's sweet… just like you.”
iTrapped turns away, quickly trying to hide the warmth creeping into his cheeks. But Chance sees it—the faint, impossible-to-hide blush—and it makes him grin.
“Aww, look at that. Are you blushing, Detective?” Chance teases.
“I—I’m not!” iTrapped protests, though the rush of pink along his jawline betrays him.
“Hmm,” Chance says, tilting his head, “to me, it kinda looks like you are. You can just admit it. I made you blush.”
“Did not!” iTrapped denies, though the corner of his mouth twitches, betraying the faintest smile.
Chance laughs quietly, a warm sound. “Fine, fine. I won’t tease you any longer… though, I have to admit, it is cute.”
iTrapped says nothing, only takes another careful bite of his cotton candy, trying to act indifferent. Chance swiftly finishes his own stick, and studies iTrapped with quiet amusement. The air is filled with laughter, shouts from the crowd, and the faint smell of popcorn. Suddenly, someone bumped into iTrapped, and he stumbles, losing his balance.
“Wh—”
“Detective, you’re going to—” Chance lunges forward, catching him effortlessly. iTrapped hangs there, suspended in their arms. Their faces are mere inches apart. iTrapped freezes in place, staring at Chance, while his own heart hammers in his chest.
“Uh…” iTrapped stammers, words failing him entirely.
Chance pulls him up, setting him gently back on his feet. “Sorry! Sorry! I just… didn’t want you to fall,” he says quickly, then adds teasingly, “I mean… fall for me.”
iTrapped crosses his arms, pretending to be annoyed, but the spark of amusement in his eyes betrays him. “Ha. Very funny. That’s the second time you’ve caught me… ever since—”
The ballroom incident. Chance recalls the incident clearly in his mind, but he tries to keep his attention to the present.
Unfortunately, iTrapped’s cotton candy slips from his fingers and falls to the ground, landing in the dirt. He stares at it, a small frown tugging at his lips.
“Oh…”
“I’ll get you another one. Don’t worry,” Chance says gently, his hand brushing against iTrapped’s as he gestures toward the vendor. And when their fingers meet, iTrapped glances back at Chance, meeting his gaze.
For a moment, they simply stand there, the bustle of the park fading around them. The light catches iTrapped’s hair, the soft blue of his eyes, the hint of pink still lingering on his cheeks—and Chance swears, just for a second, they just look… impossibly, achingly perfect.
iTrapped shook his head, a faint, reluctant smile tugging at his lips. “It’s fine. I’ve had enough, anyways.”
Chance leaned slightly closer. “I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”
iTrapped raised an eyebrow, skeptical. “Sure…” He paused, then cheekily winked at him, “Well, I have to say… you do have quick fingers.”
Chance’s grin widened. “Oh yeah? Wanna see what else they can do?”
And just like that, they found themselves at a carnival game booth. Apparently—and unfortunately—that was what iTrapped had meant.
Rows of brightly painted targets lined the shelves, each marked with different numbers, indicating their point values. Above them, there were stuffed animals of all sizes, all kinds of toys, and colorful treats hung from hooks.
iTrapped leaned slightly on the counter, his eyes fixed on Chance. “Are you sure you know how to play this?”
Chance let out a confident chuckle. “Yeah! This is easy stuff. No big deal.”
“Alright then…”
Chance handed the vendor a bill, who in turn handed him a small toy gun loaded with rubber bullets. With a playful flourish, Chance tugged off his gloves using his teeth, letting iTrapped watch every motion. iTrapped groaned, realizing exactly what Chance was doing.
Finally, Chance aimed carefully at the first target. He fired, over and over again—but somehow, every shot he made ended up missing.
“I swear, I was aiming properly…!” Chance exclaimed, throwing his hands up in defeat.
“You do know these things are rigged, right?”
“What…?!” Chance turned to him, face filled with disbelief.
“They don’t stay in the same place,” iTrapped explained, motioning towards the targets. “They move slightly every time you try to aim. You have to predict where it’ll move next.”
“So it’s rigged, huh…” Chance shook his head, lowering the gun with a defeated smile. “Doesn’t matter. I lost anyway.”
This was so embarrassing…!
Chance began to walk away, embarrassed, but iTrapped’s hand caught his arm, stopping him mid-step.
“What is it?” Chance asked, glancing over his shoulder. “Don’t tell me you’re going to try it… You just said they’re unwinnable!”
“Well, I did say they were rigged…” iTrapped began, before rolling up his sleeves, a determined look in his eyes. “But I never said anything about winning.”
“Let me show you how it’s done.”
He handed a few coins to the vendor, who passed him the toy gun with a knowing look. “Good luck!”
Before Chance could protest any further, iTrapped had already started. Each and every movement was precise, controlled—and he ended up hitting every single one of his shots.
“Okay, okay,” Chance muttered, trying to hide his awe by pretending to scoff. “Show-off.”
iTrapped let out a soft chuckle, and with a final, careful shot, he snagged the grand prize. The vendor’s jaw nearly hit the counter, eyes wide in disbelief. “You… can pick any prize you want…”
iTrapped’s gaze turned to Chance. “So… what prize are you interested in?”
Chance looks down, his hands fidgeting nervously. “Err… I wasn’t really thinking about that… I was trying to win it for you.”
“Well, I’m the one who won. Now, choose.”
Chance briefly glanced at the different prizes, still flustered. Finally, his gaze landed on a giant, fluffy dark-grey bunny plush. He turned to iTrapped, tugging at his sleeve lightly, then shyly pointed towards it. “That one… it looks cute.”
The vendor, still stunned, fetched a stool and handed the plush over. “Congratulations on your win, sir… Please… come again…”
Chance swore the man meant to say “please, don’t ever come back,” and still, he pretended not to know.
iTrapped took the plushie gratefully, before handing it to Chance. “Here you go.”
Chance’s blush deepened as he brought the bunny closer and hugged it tightly to his chest. “Thank you, Detective…”
When iTrapped realized what he had done, he quickly looked away, clearing his throat. “How about we go on a ride next?”
Chance nodded, still clutching the plush, his heart beating a little faster. “Sure.” He glanced around the park, searching. The ferris wheel… that seemed like it would be a nice ride to go on. “That seems fun.”
“Alright, then... Let’s go.”
Luckily for them, the queue for the ferris wheel was surprisingly short. They were guided on the ride within a few minutes, with iTrapped sitting opposite Chance. The ride sways gently as it begins to ascend. It’s quiet for a while. Chance, eager to break the tension, pulls out a deck of playing cards from his pocket.
“Wanna see a magic trick?”
iTrapped narrows his eyes, puzzled. “Where did you—” He stops, realizing no explanation they provided would make sense. He shrugs nonchalantly. “Sure, I’ll humour you.”
Chance grins, then shuffles the deck, before offering the top few cards to iTrapped. “Pick a card, any card… and don’t tell me what it is.”
iTrapped studies his expression, his own fingers twitching, before sliding a card from the deck. He peeks at it, then slips it back in. Chance shuffles the deck a few times, until it’s properly mixed in. He draws the top card, his eyes glinting mischievously. “Is this your card?”
He reveals a joker.
iTrapped shakes his head. “No.”
“Wait, what—” Chance mutters, flipping through the deck one by one, holding each card up to iTrapped, questioning every one. But every time he does, iTrapped shakes his head, chuckling softly. Eventually, Chance slumps in the seat, completely and utterly defeated.
iTrapped places a comforting hand on Chance’s shoulder, trying to reassure him. “Don’t be so dismayed. It was… amusing.”
Chance sits there quietly, trying to hide the fluttering in his chest from the fleeting touch. After a moment, he straightens his posture, and meets iTrapped’s gaze.
“Come closer.”
iTrapped frowns slightly, confused. “What?”
“You heard me,” Chance repeats, his voice firmer. iTrapped shifts slightly, leaning forward, reducing the distance between them.
“That’s not close enough. Come closer—I promise, I won't bite!”
iTrapped exhales softly, a reluctant chuckle escaping his lips, and finally moves until they’re mere inches apart. Chance lifts his hand slowly, his fingers brushing behind iTrapped’s ear. “Oh? What’s this?”
He pulls out a single card, hidden behind the detective’s ear, revealing it with a flourish—it’s the ace of spades.
“Is this… your card?”
iTrapped chuckles, a warm sound that makes Chance’s heart beat a little quicker. “Yeah. I can;’t believe it… you finally got it right.”
“H-Hey—” Chance stammers, a blush creeping into his cheeks. “That was all part of the trick!”
iTrapped smiles, unbothered by Chance’s flustered protests, and for a moment, they sit in silence. Chance realizes just how close they’re pressed together. His chest tightens—he hadn’t been thinking about that earlier! Carefully, he shifts back just enough to create distance between the two, hoping iTrapped doesn’t notice.
iTrapped, thankfully, doesn’t. Now, he’s looking outside, more absorbed in the scenery below. Chance fidgets with his hands, and finally musters up the courage to ask the question that’s been nagging at him all day.
“So… Detective,” he begins carefully, keeping his voice low, “what was the reason you invited me here today?”
Immediately, he facepalms internally. Of all things… Why did I have to ask that?
iTrapped tilts his head, eyes locking on Chance’s. Then he answers calmly, a faint teasing edge in his words. “You’re the one who gave me your number.”
That’s true, but still...
“I… thought you weren’t interested,” he admits, his voice barely above a whisper.
iTrapped leans back slightly, a subtle smirk playing at the corner of his lips. “Maybe I’ve changed my mind, then. You never know.”
Chance takes a deep breath, trying to compose himself, to slow the racing thoughts in his mind. “You said we couldn’t be together… because we’re both… different. But I don’t think that’s true. We’re more alike than you think, Detective.” His voice softens, gaining confidence as he continues. “You want to change the world, make it better. I want that too—I want justice for those who have been wronged.”
iTrapped remains silent. Instead, he leans forward, elbows resting on his knees, listening intently, silent, letting Chance speak without interruption.
“You know… my parents…” Chance pauses, his gaze falling to his hands clenched loosely in his lap. “…they were just like you, wanting to make this place better. But they went too far, too deep into the corruption. Before they could expose the higher-ups… they were killed. Shot. Right in front of my eyes.”
iTrapped instantly stiffens, his jaw tightening. “I’m… sorry to hear that.” He looks away, eyes filled with guilt.
“Don’t apologize, Detective. It ain’t your fault.” Chance removes his sunglasses, twisting them nervously between his fingers. He bites his lip, hesitating, then continues. “Their death was framed as a suicide. But I knew better. They tried to silence me… keep me quiet. I was ‘boutta be killed too… until the boss saved me.”
“Boss?” iTrapped asks, sitting a little straighter. “Do you mean… Don Sonnellino?”
“Oh? Someone’s been doing their research.”
“Well, you’re the one who gave me the clue, after all,” iTrapped murmurs, shifting slightly.
“True,” Chance says, leaning back against the cabin railing. He’s aware he might be a bit too loose-lipped right now, but he doesn’t mind—he’s with his favourite detective, after all. “I had to repay the boss, especially after what he’s done for me. Don’t worry—I won't go doing crazy stuff.”
iTrapped narrows his eyes. “I would argue stealing priceless relics isn’t exactly the best, either. Especially the Darkheart sword… that thing is dangerous.”
Chance waves him off, a little defensive. He brushes his hand through his hair. “It’s fine. I know my hands aren’t the cleanest, but they ain’t bloody. I’ve never killed anyone in my life, I swear!”
iTrapped tilts his head, unimpressed. “That’s not what I meant. Stealing is still a crime, after all.”
Chance exhales sharply, his voice rising slightly with frustration. “Maybe—but they’re filthy rich! This stuff doesn’t even make a dent in their pockets! Meanwhile, people like us suffer every day, starvin’ because we have nothing! I hate them—all of them—for what they’ve done, for what they’ve taken from me—”
Chance snaps. “You… you just don’t get it, Detective—!”
He stops mid-sentence. He takes a deep, shaky breath, running a hand over his face. “Ah. I… got emotional again.”
For a fleeting moment, iTrapped’s usual mask slips. His gaze softens, and there’s a flicker of sympathy in his eyes. Then, as quickly as it appeared, it’s gone—replaced with the calm, unreadable expression he always wears. “…It’s fine.”
No, it isn’t. Chance knows it, but he stays quiet. They sit there, quiet, the air heavy with unsaid words and lingering tension. Eventually, the ferris wheel slows to a stop, the cabin settling gently on the platform.
“Sorry, I… didn’t mean to make things awkward.”
iTrapped doesn’t look at him. His gaze drifts away, past Chance. “Don’t worry about it. Let’s… just go for the fireworks show. I heard it’s nice.”
Chance nods silently, following him out of the cabin. The ride behind them hums faintly as they disembark. They walk on in silence.
He really messed up, didn’t he?
But still—why couldn’t he see? They were practically cut from the same cloth—two people wronged by a system that didn’t give a damn about them. Didn’t he understand? This was the only way he could fix things—by hitting them where it hurt the most. If he stole their fortune, eventually they would notice—not discard him and forget, leaving him to rot in the dust.
He shakes his head. Enough about that. He didn’t want to ruin what he had left.
Eventually, they reach the far end of the amusement park—a small gathering area perched on a cliff. Perfect for watching the fireworks. The sun was already dipping low, painting the horizon in shades of violet and gold, and darkness was slowly settling over the city. iTrapped doesn’t speak. They’re absorbed in their phone, their fingers typing a quiet response. It’s probably work, or something else that’s urgent. But at the back of his mind, Chance can’t help but think they’re itching to leave, especially after everything that’s happened.
He leans against the railing, elbows resting on the cold metal. He faces the view, watching the city stretch endlessly before him. Everything looks calm, peaceful—almost serene. He wishes it could be like this forever.
He glances back at iTrapped. They’re still typing furiously, so focused it almost hurts to watch. Chance picks at a loose thread on his sweater, trying—and failing—to read the detective. Sometimes they’re warm, sometimes they act distant, sometimes sweet and blushing in ways that make his chest ache, other times unreadable and foreign. He wishes he could understand what went on behind those eyes—the ones that always made him act reckless, daring for a moment of their attention.
In some ways, iTrapped was right. Being together was probably impossible. It was too much trouble, too many risks. Not to mention, the detective’s reputation—what would happen if the truth ever came out? And Chance… he was already a lost hope, a lost cause. He didn’t want to drag iTrapped into that.
And yet, when he looks at those eyes—he couldn’t help but yearn for more, and dream about the impossible.
He doesn’t know when it started—when the teasing became something more, when their flirtatious interactions with them had transformed into something real, something far more uncertain.
He had chosen a random name from the bunch, the one that had seemed the most appealing. A washed-up detective, fed up with the system. And yes, Chance will admit it… he thought he was pretty cute. At first, it was just fun. A game, almost. But over time, he began to enjoy it more than that. iTrapped was dangerous, always pushing him, always making him do things riskier than he would have ever imagined. He had never planned to reveal his real name at the start. He had wanted to keep the chase going, and maybe help iTrapped out a little. But as times went on, as the encounters grew longer and more personal, it became more than just fun. It became special—just the two of them, in a world that could never be understood.
Over time, it turned into something else entirely. Before he knew it, Chance had begun to catch feelings for them. He began taking bigger risks, planning bigger heists, all to get iTrapped to notice him. And in a moment of recklessness, he even told the detective his real name.
They were right—love made you do foolish things. Silly things. Dangerous things.
But Chance didn’t mind… not even a little. Especially if it was for his favorite detective.
At that moment, the wind blew past, sharp and chilly. It tugs at Chance’s sweater, making him shiver. He should have worn something warmer.
“You must be cold.”
Chance shook his head, forcing a smile. “I’m fine… No need to worry about me.”
But iTrapped saw right through it. Without another word, he took off his coat, and stepped closer. With his coat in hand, he gently draped it over Chance’s shoulders. Chance started to protest, opening his mouth, but then stopped. God, it was so warm—so much warmer than the thin sweater he had stubbornly insisted on wearing.
“Thank you, Detective…” he murmured quietly. “I appreciate it.”
A small, almost imperceptible smile appears on their lips. “You’re welcome.”
Chance’s grin widened, and a playful glint returned to his eyes. “Well, then… Here's a little something for you too. I can’t have you freezing out here.”
He took his fedora, and plopped it onto iTrapped’s head.
“O-Oh… thanks,” iTrapped muttered, his fingers brushing the brim, adjusting it slightly, a faint blush creeping across his cheeks that he tried so desperately—and failed—to hide.
With that, Chance reached into his pocket and pulled out a coin.
“That… that’s your calling card, isn’t it?”
Chance nodded. “As bright as ever, Detective.”
iTrapped tilted his head, intrigued. “Why a coin, though?”
Chance shrugged, his gaze distant, his voice becoming quieter now. “Dunno.” He lifted the coin higher, studying it. “I have multiple copies, but this one… this one’s the real deal. Made of pure gold—was my pa’s lucky coin.”
They looked at him quietly, eyes full of pity. But he turned his face away, unable to bear their gaze. “Found it in his pocket after he died,” he whispered,his fingers closing around the worn coin. “I’ve kept it with me ever since.”
Then, he let out a bitter laugh, trying to mask the tears threatening to spill. “Heh… Can’t believe I managed to fool ya. Forgive me, I was just spewing some nonsense—”
But iTrapped didn’t let him finish. He took Chance’s hand in his own, before squeezing it gently. “I… understand. I’m sorry for bringing it up.”
Chance looked at them, feeling the warmth of their hands around his. “It’s fine,” he murmured softly. He tries to change the subject, not wanting to continue with ruining the mood.
“How… about a bet, Detective?”
“Hm?” iTrapped glances up, curious. His lips twitch, though he tries to hide it. “A bet? For what?”
Chance leans a little closer, letting the corner of his mouth curl into a teasing smirk. It’s now or never, he supposes. “On whether you’ll kiss me or not.”
iTrapped freezes, and a faint flush creeps up his neck. “You can’t just bet on things like that…!”
“But I didn’t hear a no,” Chance says, playfully teasing them.
iTrapped groans softly, rubbing the back of his neck, eyes darting away for a moment before meeting Chance’s gaze again. “Fine… let’s say, if I were to take part in this bet—would I be heads or tails?”
“Your choice, of course.”
“What am I doing…” iTrapped murmurs out loud, almost scolding himself for even entertaining the idea. “Fine. Heads, then.”
“In that case… I’ll go with tails.”
Chance takes the coin, tossing it in the air, and palming it skillfully. Then, he flips it one last time, catching it deftly in his hand. It lands—tails.
“Ah… today doesn’t seem to be my lucky day…” Chance mutters, the disappointment evident in his words.
iTrapped opens his mouth to tease him back, but a sudden shout from behind interrupts them.
“The fireworks are about to start!” someone calls from the crowd, all gathered to watch the fireworks.
Immediately, their attention snaps to the scene before them. The first fireworks explode in brilliant colours overhead—silvers and golds, blues and whites—all shimmering against the dark sky. Chance tugs the coat tighter around his shoulders, trying to savor the warmth it brings.
But iTrapped reaches out, slipping his hand into Chance’s. Chance glances at him, surprised by their sudden gesture. He takes the coin between their fingers, and flips it over, until it faces heads.
The next firework goes off, illuminating their faces in golden light. iTrapped lifts his hand, and cups Chance’s face, pulling him closer. Chance feels his breath hitch, and his cheeks blush instantly. The detective’s gaze softens, his eyes searching theirs, looking for something. It’s a question, one left unspoken.
“Can I… kiss you?”
iTrapped nods, ever so slightly. Chance leans closer, but before he can kiss them, they press a finger to his lips—a gentle pause. Then, in a swift motion, he takes their hands into his own…and clicks handcuffs around his wrists.
Chance stands there, blinking, completely in shock. “What…?”
Their lips curl into a teasing smile. “Gotcha.”
He tries to keep his voice steady, and masks his disbelief with a sly grin. “Oh… well, you got me there, Detective.”
Chance hesitates, his eyes searching theirs, hoping for something, looking for any truth in their words. But his expression was unreadable. “Was this… all an act?”
iTrapped glances at his pocket, checks his phone briefly, and slips it away. “You tell me.”
Chance sighs dramatically, though on the inside, he feels heartbroken. “Aww… I really thought we had something special.”
iTrapped lets out a light chuckle. His eyes linger on Chance’s, filled with something indiscernible, almost dangerous. He leans in slowly, giving Chance every second to pull away… but he doesn’t.
And then, their lips brush against his—soft at first, the barest ghost of contact. For a moment, it feels like it could almost be a mistake they’ve made, an unintentional act.
But then iTrapped presses in once more, and he kisses him.
It’s not rough or hurried—it’s slow, like he’s testing them, like it’s a fragile moment that could break if he pushes too far. Chance’s breath catches in throat, his body stiffening for a moment before melting into the warmth. It feels warmer than he expected, a dizzying sensation, and a strange mix of restraint and sincerity. Chance feels his world fade away, and all he’s focused on was this—their sweet lips, kissing him.
When iTrapped pulls back, he does so almost reluctantly. His eyes linger on Chance’s lips, and their eyes meet. Somehow, he feels understood—as if every wall he’s ever built has been stripped away in an instant.
His cheeks burn, and he swallows hard. His breaths are uneven, and he’s unable to summon a single witty line, or a charming smirk. For once, Blackjack is utterly defenseless.
And iTrapped’s mouth curves into a small, knowing smile. There’s amusement there, yes—but beneath it, something quieter, almost uncertain—something dangerously close to affection.
“Take me away, Detective! I can die happy now, knowing you’ve kissed me,” Chance finally blurts out, before plastering a grin on his face.
“How adorable,” iTrapped murmurs quietly, words filled with a warmth that makes Chance’s chest ache.
The metal of the cuffs still bites lightly into his wrists, and he can’t resist testing them, fingers working at the lock. “Wouldn’t you kiss me again?” he whispers, hoping to distract them.
“Or maybe… we can take this someplace else?” he adds teasingly, words almost suggestive. “I know a quiet spot… just you and me.”
iTrapped freezes, and he turns his head sharply—just enough to hide the blush that creeps up his neck and across his cheeks. “What a silly thing to say.”
Chance simply laughs quietly, breathless, before continuing to work on the cuffs. After a few deft clicks, they finally give way.
“Should’ve kept your eyes on me.”
He gives them a little shake, and they click right open. He flexes his wrists, and a triumphant grin spreads across his face as he looks back at them. But iTrapped’s gaze was drawn elsewhere. Chance follows, and spots what they’re looking for in the crowd. It’s Caleb and Ellernate, rushing towards them.
Guess that’s his cue to leave.
Chance breaks into a sprint, but not before glancing back, one final time. He taps a finger to his lips, then he blows a soft kiss toward iTrapped. “Farewell,” he calls, his voice echoing through the crowd. “I’ll miss you, Detective!”
“Stop, Blackjack!” iTrapped yells, running after him.
He pushes forward, weaving through the crowd, ignoring the yells of Caleb and Ellernate. Though Chance moves quickly, iTrapped manages to catch up, and grabs his hand. His grip is firm and unwavering, and he refuses to let go. They freeze, and turn towards them, a pleading look in his eyes.
He mouths a single word. “Please.”
iTrapped stops. All rational thought leaves him, and all he can feel is the warmth of Chance’s hand in his. Something rises inside of him—a mix of emotions, all at once. He exhales slowly, and against his better judgment… he lets go of their hand.
Chance doesn’t hesitate. Within seconds, he disappears into the crowd, vanishing right into thin air, leaving nothing but a ghost of the time they spent together, and all those lingering memories wrapped between.
iTrapped steps back, before returning to the railing at the cliff’s edge. He quickly hides the fedora on his head, and watches as Caleb and Ellernate arrive, their faces filled with exasperation and disbelief.
“You’re… too late,” iTrapped mutters under his breath, his shoulders slumping slightly. The wind feels colder now, and he feels the missing warmth from Chance’s absence. His fingers tighten around the railing, knuckles whitening, and a quiet, aching emptiness settles in his chest.
“Did he get away again?” Caleb groans, clearly frustrated.
iTrapped nods. His chest feels heavier than it should, and he can’t seem to shake the memory of Chance’s laugh, the warmth of his hand.
“We were so close,” Ellernate says, glaring into the empty crowd. Then his gaze shifts to iTrapped. “Hey… where’s your coat?”
iTrapped instinctively touches his shoulders, and his stomach twists.
Right, the coat… He gave it to Chance.
“I must have… forgotten it somewhere,” he says, forcing a chuckle that sounds hollow even to his own ears. A poor excuse, but one that slides past their scrutiny.
His mind wanders, retracing every step of the evening. How carefully he had orchestrated the setup with Caleb and Ellernate—every detail meant to catch Chance, to control the chaos. And yet, somewhere along the way, he had lost sight of that. He even made sure the others were called late, so they wouldn’t see them kiss him. And yet, he still let Chance slip away. He doesn’t even know why.
Ellernate tilts his head, squinting at him with suspicion. “Why… did he do all that anyway?”
iTrapped blinks, caught off guard. “Do what?”
Ellernate gestures vaguely, trying to explain what he meant. “All that… stuff. The missing you, blowing a kiss too—what was that about?”
He almost chokes. He had tried to call them in later, hoping they wouldn’t catch on, but he seems to have been mistaken. Just how much had they seen? Hopefully they didn’t see him kiss them… They couldn’t have, right?
“…I have no idea,” he lies, his voice sounding uncertain, almost defensive.
Caleb scoffs, before crossing his arms. “So he’s a thief and a weirdo too. Got it.”
“…maybe,” iTrapped murmurs absentmindedly, fingers brushing over the edge of the fedora he had kept hidden. He can’t stop himself from looking back into the crowd, scanning for the familiar silhouette. But they were long gone.
“He’s… just…” iTrapped starts, before trailing off. Nothing he says would be able to capture the storm of thoughts and emotions racing inside of his mind. The warmth of Chance’s hand, the mischievous sparkle in his eyes, and his charming, breathtaking smile—those memories linger, etched into iTrapped’s mind, refusing to fade.
What is Chance to him? What is he—really? And most important of all… why did he let go?
iTrapped doesn’t know. At that moment, all he could think about was how he didn’t want them to get hurt. How, by letting go, he would be protecting them. But this… it was reckless. Foolish, even. He should have held on, and stopped them from running. And yet… he had let them slip through his fingers.
That was when he knew—Chance had stolen iTrapped’s heart. When he watched them disappear into the crowd, all iTrapped could do was hope. He could only hope that their feelings for him were real, that all the teasing, flirting, everything they shared—it meant something to them, like it did to him. But if they weren’t…
It would end up breaking his heart.
iTrapped can still feel it, the ghost of warmth from Chance’s lips pressed against his own, a memory that refuses to fade. For the first time that night, he allows himself to admit the truth—he misses them. And upon coming to that damning realisation, a shiver runs down his spine, both thrilling and terrifying.
You’re going to be the end of me, Chance.
And for Chance… well, he barely got away in time. He hides away into the shadows of a nearby street, his heart still racing from the chase, adrenaline thrumming through his veins. His chest aches—not from running, but from the lingering sting of iTrapped’s betrayal, and the fleeting kiss they shared.
Yet… he can’t help but be amused. He can’t believe it—his favourite detective had almost gotten the upper hand on him for once. He pats his head, then remembers his missing fedora—the one he had gifted to iTrapped. He shrugs. It’ll be fine… it’s a parting gift meant for them, if you will. A reminder of the kiss, and their shared night together.
Chance leans against the cold wall, deciding to reflect on the evening. He thinks about the laughter they shared, those rare glimpses behind the detective’s calm, unreadable mask, and their breathtaking blue eyes. He remembers the warmth of their hands, the ghost of their lips against his, and a small, bittersweet ache coils in his chest.
He pulls out the bunny plush, his fingers lingering on the soft fabric before hugging it close. “It’s so cute…” he whispers to himself, pressing it tightly against his chest like it’s something precious. A soft, breathless chuckle escapes him—he knows what he’s doing is foolish, but he can’t help it. There’s something warm in his heart, a feeling he thought he had lost.
For the first time in a long while, he feels happy.
Deep in his heart, a quiet hope rises, impossible to ignore. Maybe... just maybe, iTrapped feels the same way about him.
And despite everything, he’s glad he came. A soft smile tugs at his lips as he pulls iTrapped’s coat tighter around himself, clinging onto a warmth that refuses to fade.
“Told ya I’d get that kiss, iTrapped.”