directed at dynamic_brat and samurai_error~

[is_not_watson]

Why did things in the Mansion always have to get so complicated?Ran sighed as he wandered the carpeted hallways of the nexus, hands firmly shoved in his pockets. He'd just had a nice, long, and very worrying conversation with several of his female alternates, regarding one particular Conan in the mansion. The result of which was that he was now in

Comments

[dynamic_brat]

Right.

As Ran-kun opens the door to this particular study, he'll find he's hit jackpot. Not only has he found the Shinichi he is looking for -- other Conans barely tolerate being treated as a child. They would object strongly to sitting on someone else's lap. This one is not only happy where he is, but is cuddling -- but he's got found a bonus Shinichi he wasn't even looking for! Shinichi glances up as Ran enters, nodding in greeting but quickly turning his attention back to the story that Conan is reading him, as engrossed as though he is hearing it for the first time.

Which, considering the katana resting on the floor beside their armchair, he just might be.

[is_not_watson]

It's a bit of an unexpected sight. Ran lifts an eyebrow but doesn't say anything, instead folding his arms and leaning against the inside wall. He's a bit loathe to interrupt when Conan looks so happy.

Besides, considering that it's Holmes they're reading, they'd probably both whine if he said anything before they finished the chapter.

[samurai_error]

Actually, Ran is in luck.

"'"Your hat and boots, Watson, quick! Not a moment to lose!" He rushed into his room in his dressing-gown and was back again in a few seconds in a frock-coat,'" Conan read. If he'd noticed Ran, he didn't give any sign of it. "'We hurried--'"

"Frock-coat?"

"It's an old coat. Long. I don't think it's for bad weather -- more just to be wearing a coat. Ran, do you know what a frock coat is?"

They both might be really enjoying the story, but interruptions are par for the course.

[is_not_watson]

"Not a clue," Ran said shortly, pushing himself off the wall. "Hey Conan, can I talk to you for a bit?"

[dynamic_brat]

Conan blinked at that. Can I talk to you -- not your counterpart. You. A bit = I am going for casual but the fact that I need to ask means that this is something you are not going to like.

Quick. What was the Shinichi response?

"I'm kind of in the middle of something."

[is_not_watson]

Great, he was going to be difficult.

"The book isn't going anywhere, you know."

[samurai_error]

Shinichi attempted to be helpful. "Neither am I, you know."

Conan brightened as he saw an opportunity to block Ran. "You're staying? I suppose we'll hear whatever Ran-kun has to say then--"

"I do not think it proper to eavesdrop so obviously when Ran-san clearly wishes to speak privately," his counterpart warned him. "Besides, it is probably to your advantage that I do not hear."

[is_not_watson]

"Probably," Ran agreed. "It won't take long."

Provided Conan cooperated, anyway.

[samurai_error]

Conan needed just one look at Ran's expression to decide that he was not cooperating. He latched onto his samurai-era counterpart's arm. "Don't go! He's only going to be mean to me -- stay!"

"That sounds like even more of a reason to go," Shinichi said, carefully disentangling himself. "Let me know when you're done."

[is_not_watson]

"Will do," Ran replied, lifting a hand in a wave and quickly reaching out to snag Conan by the back of his shirt before he could try to run after his older self again. "Jeez, would you calm down!"

[dynamic_brat]

"No! I won't do it! I refuse!"

Ran snagged him just in the nick of time. It's a few minutes of flailing before Conan realises that he really isn't going anywhere and falls back on plan B -- sulking.

[is_not_watson]

"You don't even know what it is yet!" Exasperated, Ran waited for Shinichi to close the door and then firmly planted himself in front of it before letting Conan go. "You're making it sound like I'm planning on torturing you or something."

[dynamic_brat]

Conan was unimpressed, quirking an eyebrow at Ran as he leaned against the chair he'd just been sitting on. "Am I going to like this?"

[is_not_watson]

"No, but only because you're stubborn," Ran-kun snorted, folding his arms. "What's this 'proposition' you came up with?"

[dynamic_brat]

"I had a bath yester-- eh?" Conan blinked. "I don't remember saying anything to you about a proposition."

[is_not_watson]

"You said something to your Ran. I overheard it." As lies went, it wasn't a particularly glib one, and Ran hurried on past it. "I want to know what it is."