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It was one of those heists.
The loud spattering of gunfire, a harrowing escape, the wind in his ears, and adrenaline flowing through his veins. He, Jigen, and Goemon had gotten separated in the commotion, with Jigen pocketing the stolen goods as Lupin tried to escape. Zenigata was hot on his tail, shouting a string of curses as Lupin led him snaking through the trees, trying to lose him in the forest. It was all going according to plan, even if Zenigata was being extra stubborn today.
Until it started to rain.
Almost in an instant, the slightly overcast day turned into pouring rain, with Lupin's jacket getting soaked through in a matter of minutes. His breakneck pace slowed as the ground became slick with mud, sticking to his shoes and trying to suck him in. The rain didn't seem like it would stop anytime soon, raindrops only growing thicker and thicker, with thunder now rumbling by.
He needed shelter.
And so did Zenigata. That idiot was still chasing him, slipping through the mud and barely managing not to fall. It wasn't until Lupin let himself be handcuffed before the Inspector finally calmed down, realizing the gravity of the situation they were in.
They trudged onwards for a while, waterlogged and miserable, until Lupin spotted a cabin in the woods.
"Ah, Sweet Salvation!" Lupin said enthusiastically, opening the door, "Never have I been more excited to see a cabin in the middle of nowhere!"
Zenigata stopped at the doorway. "Lupin, wait-we can't just barge in. What if someone lives here?"
"Well, I'm sure they wouldn't mind helping out a duo of weary travelers take shelter from the storm," he winked.
"We're not-"
"And besides," Lupin took a quick look around the small, 3-room cabin, "No-one's home anyway. It's all ours, Pops."
Zenigata crossed his arms, still standing outside in the rain. "This is breaking and entering,"
Lupin had already taken off his shoes, got out of the handcuffs, and was now peeling off his wet jacket. "Come on Pops, just get out of the rain already. If you wait too long, I might get mean and decide not to share."
Zenigata frowned, about to speak, but the roaring sound of thunder cut him off. He relented, hurrying inside and closing the wooden door.
It was a log cabin with 3 rooms. A cozy kitchen with a stove and a table, a living room area with 2 armchairs and a fireplace, and a bedroom.
This wasn't the first time he and Zenigata had ever had to share a space like this. Ever since Cagliostro, it seemed like they kept having these temporary truces, being forced together somehow. Lupin didn't mind. Of course he loved the thrill of the chase, but sometimes it was nice to not be Lupin and Inspector Zenigata: sworn enemies, and be something closer to friends.
Lupin turned back to the inspector, who was shrugging off his coat. His hat was already gone, letting Lupin see his big brown eyes and long eyelashes. A warm feeling washes over him.
Dang. He hasn't seen the inspector without a hat since before he faked his own death.
"Looks like it's just you and me again, huh Pops?" Lupin grinned, "Just like the good old days."
The inspector grunted a response, undoing his tie. There was something stiff in the way he moved, hesitating before slowly unbuttoning his white shirt, not facing Lupin.
"I'll get the fire going, maybe you could whip us up something to eat? I think there's some cans in the kitchen. You know I'm no good at anything more complicated than ramen. Still better than Fujiko, though."
"... Fine," Zenigata muttered, heading towards the kitchen.
"And usually I'd be a gentleman and ask you to dinner first, but how about you go take you pants off, hmm?"
"Lupin."
"Just a joke!" Lupin quickly said, "But they are soaking wet, but I'll leave that decision up to you, Pops."
Starting the fire was easy, there were some dry logs next to the fireplace, and Lupin still had his lighter with him. He went back to the kitchen, where Zenigata was starting to figure out what to cook (wearing only his boxers, Lupin noticed). He filled the space by talking as Zenigata cooked, rambling on about anything and nothing. However, Zenigata's responses were curt, usually one or two words, like he didn't really want to talk to Lupin. He barely even looked at Lupin's direction.
"Alright Pops, what's the deal with you tonight?" Lupin asked in the middle of dinner, picking at his rice with a fork, "Why are you acting like a total stranger, huh? I could have a better conversation with a brick wall than with you right now."
"Nothing," The inspector said, not tearing his eyes from his food.
"Oh yeah? Well it sure doesn't seem like nothing." Lupin put down the fork with a clatter. "It's not like we haven't been stuck together before- we've done this a million times. So what's the big issue now?"
"There is no issue. It's fine. Quit worrying about it."
"Don't tell me to quit worrying about it. All I want is a good temporary-truce with you, and here you are, being all prickly. Our first time together since I came back and you're really blowing it."
"Since you died." Zenigata corrected, gritting his teeth.
"Died, came back, same thing. I've died, what- 5 times now? Figured you'd be used to it by now."
"You were gone for months, Lupin."
Lupin frowned. "I've been gone for months before. Planning schemes, finding a new lead, getting things organized. You know that, you've known tha-"
Zenigata slammed his fist down on the table, making Lupin jump."I saw you explode right in front of me! I thought you were dead!"
Silence hung in the air, and all Lupin could do was stare at Zenigata, who had stood up. There was something in his expression that Lupin had never seen before on Zenigata. Lupin had the feeling he was missing something very important.
Zenigata pinched the bridge of his nose."...I need a smoke," He said.
"...Okay. But we're going to talk about this." Lupin said.
" Fine."
Lupin watched as Zenigata searched through the pockets of his jacket, the food on the table now entirely forgotten. His expression fell when all he found was an empty box of Malboros and a crumpled piece of paper.
"Damn it," Zenigata muttered.
Lupin got up. "Here, allow me." He went in his own jacket, for his pack of expensive cigarettes, the box still dry. He handed one to Zenigata.
"...Thanks," the inspector said gruffly, putting it between his lips and flicking on his lighter.
He inhaled, closing his eyes with a deep breath, before sighing. Lupin contemplated getting a cigarette of his own, before deciding against it, sitting on one of the armchairs and motioning for Zenigata to do the same. Zenigata sat, the chair creaking slightly as he did, his gaze falling to the floor, then sliding back up to Lupin's face. He took another puff of his cigarette.
"I thought you were really dead this time," He started. "I know you've faked your death before, I'm not an idiot, Lupin, but I thought..."
"But I've been exploded before. I've been hanged, drowned, burned, poisoned- this wasn't even a good death, no body to confirm I was dead. Sloppier than I try to aim for."
"It's not- it's not that. It's not how you died. It's the fact that you didn't come back."
"Well Pops, generally after someone dies, they don't come back," Lupin joked, trying to lighten the mood. "What's the big deal about me laying low for a while? Didn't you have some other case to keep you busy? Some crooks you could catch in the meantime?"
Zenigata shook his head. "...So you really don't know what happened."
"What do you mean?"
"Lupin, I'd resigned," he said, cigarette in hand. "Not immediately, mind you. I kept the case open even after your death. I didn't believe it at first. Just a classic Lupin trick."
"But then a few days turned into weeks, and there were no signs of you. I checked any potential leads, I investigated all your usual hiding spots, I did everything I could think of to try and find you but you were gone," Zenigata continued. "They officially closed the case after two and a half weeks or so. Assigned me to some other criminals. Told me I needed some action to make me forget. But it wasn't the same. A couple of common crooks with barely any skill, newbies way over their heads, overzealous big shots overestimating their intelligence- they were all sloppy. Bad. Nothing like you."
Lupin softened a little at the compliment. "...Thank you, I guess."
"But then, it turned into a month later, and still no sign of you. And then there was a moment I thought I finally had you. A calling card with your signature. I didn't even notice that the handwriting was off, I was too busy getting excited over seeing you again. Turns out that it was just some poser trying to pretend to be you. Tacky. Mediocre." He shifted in his chair, "And that's when I finally quit."
"But- you were in uniform when I saw you in the car!" Lupin protested, "I hadn't even been out of hiding yet! How could you of known if you were off the force?"
"A colleague sent me a photo from the wedding. Made me join the force again. I'd recognize you through any disguise." He said, his eyes determined.
"But if you weren't being a cop, what were you even doing?"
"I went home, Lupin. Back to the family home, or just my home, I guess. I, uh, mourned you properly. For the first time. Even made a little gravestone," he said with a dry chuckle, "Haven't been back to get rid of it. I didn't do much for the first month, just kinda moped around. And drank a lot. And then, I guess I got tired of moping around, so I figured I might as well give religion another go."
"I never pegged you as the religious type."
"Me neither. But I needed something- anything to keep me going. I needed a purpose. You were my-"
Zenigata stops, catching himself. It's too late anyway. Lupin knows. He feels antsy, the weight of Zenigata's words sinking in. He's really regretting not taking that cigarette now.
They sat in silence for a while, the only sounds being the muffled rain outside and the crackles and pops coming from the fireplace. Zenigata finished his cigarette, snubbing the butt out on the ashtray. Lupin shifted in his chair, drumming his fingers idly on his leg and trying to get his thoughts together.
"I didn't mean to be dead for 5 months," Lupin admitted, tracing one of his old scars, "Things got in the way, and then Goemon was getting married, and time got away from me, I guess. I meant to check up on you, I really did, but I never got around to it. I just thought you were busy with some assignments the ICPO gave to you. I didn't think you'd quit."
"...I actually missed you, you know," he added, not quite facing the inspector.
Zenigata gave a long weary sigh. "Look Lupin, I'm not asking you to lie. You were busy with your own life and that's fine, but you don't need to lie and tell me you missed me."
"But I did!" Lupin protested, gesturing with his arms, "I did miss you, of course I did. I missed you, I missed the chase, I missed the thrill- I would always end up talking about you somehow, once time Jigen got really sick of it and told me to shut the hell up and worry about Goemon's wedding instead of you. I-"
"Lupin-"
"No no no, I need you to listen to me, Zenigata," Lupin got up, now standing in front of him. The inspector blinked, surprised at the thief using his real name. "I'm sorry, okay? I'm not good at this- talking about feelings and emotions and stuff, but I'm sorry. I should have known better. Fujiko told me that I don't think about how my actions affect other people, and she's right, because I don't, and it's an awful habit. I didn't mean to hurt you, I didn't think you'd quit, but I guess I wasn't really thinking at all. I- I'll even let you arrest me for a while, put me in jail if it makes you feel better. But I do care."
Zenigata was staring at him with those big brown eyes, searching for something in Lupin's expression. Lupin couldn't look away, he needed to show Zenigata he was being serious. The thief hadn't felt so... exposed in a long time, and wearing only an undershirt and his blue and white striped boxers wasn't doing him any favors.
"Lupin, you're right about one thing," Zenigata started.
Lupin squirmed a little under the inspector's intense gaze. When was the last time he looked at him like this?
"...You're not good at talking about your feelings," Zenigata finished with a smile.
"Wha - that's not-" Lupin sputtered, his usual suave confidence nowhere to be found, "I was- I was pouring my heart out to you! My innermost thoughts and feelings!"
"Yeah, and the best thing you could come up with is me arresting you, as if you'd stay in jail for more than a few hours," Zenigata said smugly, before his smile softened. "But it's okay. I forgive you, you idiot."
A huge weight felt like it lifted off his shoulders, and Lupin couldn't help but smile too. The way Zenigata was looking at him made him feel warm all over, all the way down to his toes. He decided to sit himself on one of the armrests of Zenigata's chair, wanting to be as near the inspector as possible.
"Actually, there is one thing I'm still a little upset about..." Zenigata mused, tapping his chin.
"You're joking."
"Not really. I mean, I get we're on different sides and all, but damn , I didn't even get invited to the wedding?"
"Actually, Goemon did want to invite you," Lupin replied, "But we were still undercover. Murasaki's Grandpa isn't too fond of thieves, so he had no idea about my identity, and I was going to keep it that way, for Goemon's sake. If you'd shown up, you would have clocked me immediately and chased me around the wedding hall!"
"I wouldn't do that!"
"Sure, cause you're very cordial and calm whenever you spot me in a sensitive spot. Definitely wouldn't start yelling loud enough to blow out someone's ear drums," He smirked, "Oh, and remember that time you interrupted a couple about to go on their honeymoon so they could chauffeur you and keep chasing us over state lines?"
"... Shut up," Zenigata mumbled, crossing his arms and turning a little red. He didn't deny any of it.
"But don't worry big guy, if one of us decides to get married, I'll make sure you get the first invitation. As long as you promise to play nice."
"How considerate of you, Lupin, I'm flattered." the inspector said, but there was no real malice in his voice.
The conversation evolved from there, with Lupin and Zenigata talking as the sun finally set, and daylight turned to night.
It was nice like this, Lupin thought. Seeing the inspector relax, the tension leaving his shoulders as he slowly got himself to unwind. Usually, Zenigata was yelling up a storm and practically popping a blood vessel, so it was rare to see him actually relaxed. And it was for Lupin. Just for him. The thought stirred something in him that was growing more hard to ignore as of late.
Lupin had bedded maybe a thousand people, (honestly, he'd lost count). But actual lasting feelings? He was awful at them. He knew that. He was either entirely too much, or he got antsy and needed space. He felt lucky enough to have such close friends who still somehow put up with him. But he knew the inspector was something special, and these warm bubbly feelings were more than just a casual appreciation. Zenigata was good and honest and dependable, and even his crazy determination only added to Lupin's fondness for the cop. Sometimes the feelings were easy enough to ignore in the chaos, but being so close to him like this with nothing to distract him? He'd be surprised if Zenigata couldn't hear his heart rattling inside his chest.
"You know Lupin, I was thinking about something..." Zenigata said.
"Yeah?"
"Do you think you'd ever get married?"
"You think I'd get settled down?" Lupin asked, incredulous, "Me? Give up being a world-renowned thief thing and what, buy a house in the hills? Have a kid or two- maybe even a dog? Live the domestic life?"
The inspector shook his head. "Jesus Christ Lupin, I didn't say l all that. I know you better than that. I just meant getting married. Still being a thief, but uh, tied down a little. Until you inevitably decide to get a divorce, I'd bet." He added with a small chuckle.
"Hmm," Lupin said, taking a pause before continuing, "...I'm not opposed to it. They'd need to know my lifestyle and that I'm not gonna stop being a gentleman thief just cause I've got a ring on my finger. I'm not exclusive, and being married isn't going to suddenly make me monogamous. And they'd need to be able to keep up with me, because I hate staying in one place for too long."
"That makes sense," Zenigata nodded, "So you've really never asked Fujiko? Or did she just reject you?"
"Nah, I wouldn't try and get married to Fujiko, not really. I know she's not really into that kind of stuff, unless she’s looking to rob some guy blind after they mysteriously die after the wedding. She needs her independence even more than I do. And besides, I don't want to be married right now anyway, that’s just not the life for me."
"I am... thinking about someone, though," He said before he could stop himself, his heart racing as he wrung his fingers. "Someone important. Someone I think I could spend forever with."
Words stuck to his lips, too difficult to say. His ears were hot, his mouth dry. He couldn't bear to look Zenigata in the eyes right now. Where was the suave, confident Lupin who saved pretty girls and flirted with almost everyone he saw? Why was he so damn nervous about this?
The inspector shifted in his chair. "I've never seen you nervous to ask someone out before. Must be someone real special."
Lupin wanted to scream. He really did. He wanted to hold Zenigata's face in his hands and tell him that it was him, he was the person that was so special, and then kiss him until all the stars went dark in the sky and love him like nobody else could. But he couldn't. He was paralyzed, stuck between his fear of actually being vulnerable and committing to someone and just how damn warm Zenigata was.
Shit, this pining thing was even worse than he thought.
He needed to get it over with. Just bite the bullet. Even if it went south, he was sure Zenigata wouldn't be too upset. Or maybe he’d call him a weirdo and a pervert and never want to be around Lupin again. Who knows.
"Zenigata," Lupin started, trying to calm his nerves.
The inspector turned to face Lupin, surprised at the thief using his name for the second time that night.
"Koichi," he said, even softer somehow, "I've been hiding this for a while, because ah- well, in all honesty I thought this would go away eventually, like most other things do. But every time I'm around you, it just expands and grows and I can't ignore it anymore, I- I need to tell you. I don't want to steal you, I need to do this right."
"...Lupin?" Zenigata's voice was small and his eyes wide as the thief reached out to grasp his rough hands.
"You're the person I was thinking of. I want you. I want you to chase me around the globe and I want to team up and stop bad guys and I want to be like this, just you and me and no one else. There's no one else that could ever keep up with me besides you, no one else that I'd commit myself to. And I know we're on different sides, but I want to make this work. I'll do everything I can to make this work. I- I want to be yours, if you'll let me."
Zenigata was about the color of a tomato, his entire face flushed. He stared, his mouth moving, but no words coming out.
After maybe a full minute, Zenigata finally found his voice. "L-Lupin I- you're being serious? You actually want... me?"
"Of course I want you," he smiled, placing a kiss on Zenigata's knuckle.
He was closer now, pressing into Zenigata's space. He could see his pretty brown eyes and long lashes, the grays in his dark brown hair, the bashful smile that was starting to form on his face. God, he was beautiful, there was no doubt about it.
Then, Lupin was being kissed, Zenigata pressing his lips against the thief's own, closing the gap between them. It was light, more of a chaste press of lips than anything, barely giving Lupin any time to react. Zenigata pulled away, taking his hands from Lupin and now hiding his face, embarrassed.
"...I love you too," He mumbled from behind his hands.
Lupin started smiling from ear to ear. He just couldn't help it.
“Aw, Koichi, you can't just say something sweet like that and hide behind your hands, especially not after kissing me," Lupin moved to sit on Zenigata's lap, and slowly brought the inspector's hands from his face, "There, that's better. Now I can see your pretty face.”
“...Arséne?”
A shiver went up Lupin's spine after hearing his name from the inspector's lips. “Yeah?"
"Can I kiss you again?”
“You don't have to ask me twice."
Lupin had kissed a lot of people in his life. None of them were quite like kissing Zenigata.
The inspector's lips were chapped, and the slight stubble on his chin was rough as Lupin met his lips. Zenigata made a sound as they finally came together, something that sounded like a sigh of relief and a content sob. Lupin was gentle, pressing against Zenigata’s lips before they parted, allowing Lupin to explore his mouth. God, he was warm.
Lupin's hands found themselves on Zenigata's chest before moving to his broad shoulders. Even without the coat he was so much wider than Lupin, in ways that made Lupin's heart race. Zenigata had one hand on the small of his back and the other running through his hair and the two deepened the kiss, moving against each other like a practiced motion.
Lupin had no idea how long they stayed together before Zenigata finally broke them apart, a string of saliva still hanging between them. His honeyed skin was flushed red, but he couldn't help but smile.
“Have I ever told you that you're beautiful?" Lupin said.
Zenigata chuckled, soft and warm. “You really know how to flatter a guy.”
“I’m serious! You’re friggin’ gorgeous, it’s a crime that I haven’t told you before! But don’t you worry, inspector, I’m going to make up for it. Chocolates, Bouquets, Wine, hell, I’ll give you a whole parade’s worth of roses if I have to!”
“Uh, Please don't? I don’t know if my reputation could survive if I got hundreds of roses the thief I’m supposed to be apprehending.”
“Well then, I’d just be subtle about it! You could say it’s from your secret paramour.”
“When have you ever been good at subtlety?”
“I could be if I tried! I’ve just never had a reason to be.”
Zenigata yawned. “Sure, whatever you say Lupin.”
“Aw, you’re not tired already, are you? The night is still young, and you’ve yet to experience my skills as a world-class lover,” The thief said with a smirk, wrapping his arms around Zenigata’s neck, “Come on big guy, don’t you wanna see what you’ve been missing out on?”
“Uh…” Zenigata swallowed, looking between the two of them, “I want to, but…”
“But what?”
“I’ve thought about… being with you for a while,” he said quietly, his face red, “And I don’t want to be half-asleep for our first time together. I want to experience all of you.”
Lupin’s heart lept into his throat. Goody Inspector Zenigata, upholder of truth and justice and all that is right, had been fantasizing about him?
“Fine,” Lupin said, “We don’t have to do it tonight, you can get your beauty rest. But, I’d love to hear about all those little fantasies you’ve been cooking up in that brain of yours some other time.
“Oh lord…" Zenigata grumbled, hiding his face again.
“Don’t be embarrassed now! Trust me, once you have sex with Lupin the third, you’ll forget about everyone who came before me!” He said, getting off of Zenigata’s lap.
“Have you ever heard of humility?”
“Being the greatest thief in the world and being humble aren’t exactly two things that go together.”
Zenigata got up from the armchair, and Lupin intertwined their fingers, holding his hand and leading him to the bedroom. The inspector yawned again, and Lupin let go, pulling the blankets down on his side of the bed and getting under the covers, gesturing for Zenigata to do the same.
“Just so you know,” Zenigata started, plopping down on his side of the bed, “After we get out of here, I’m still going to chase you down.”
“Wouldn’t have it any other way,” Lupin inched closer, snuggling his head underneath Zenigata’s chin, “And I’ll still run from you. But I’ll figure out a way to steal you from time to time,” He smiled.
“Good,” Zenigata whispered, wrapping his arms around Lupin and pulling him closer.
And Lupin lay there in the dark, snuggled in warmth of Zenigata’s chest until he heard the soft snoring of the inspector above him.
And then, he finally fell asleep.