Phone Conversations

Phone Conversations

Chapter 3: Secrets

            The next morning after Shinichi had vanished from Ran's life and Conan once appeared in his stead, Conan watched as Ran went about her usual daily routine, smiling from ear to ear, her joyous attitude never ending. Part of him couldn't help but feel rather giddy, rightfully believing that her happiness stemmed from the ring he'd given her along with...well, other things they'd done that past weekend. Even so, he felt a nervousness about him he couldn't quite explain. Perhaps it was the way Occhan had begun to be suspicious of Ran's attitude, muttering accusations about the "detective brat" being up to no good. Occhan's foul mood that morning at breakfast seemed like it would last for an entire week, but Ran's loving cheerfulness had even her usually cynical father in better spirits.

            That night, Ran brought Conan into her room, and quietly shut the door. Despite being in the body of a seven year, his mind and body remembered all too well the way his normal body had felt making love to Ran. He did his best not to react as she sat on her bed, berating himself the entire time for such inappropriate thoughts.

            "Conan-kun, can you keep a secret?"

            "Of course!"

            Ran made him promise upon all he held dear – mostly upon the Sherlock Holmes' series – that he wouldn't tell her father, but in the end, Conan watched happily as Ran pulled out the little block box housing her engagement ring.

            "Isn't it beautiful?" Ran breathed. She gave it to him. But upon opening the box, instead of finding the engagement ring he had gotten her, he found a single, gold wedding band – a men's wedding band.

            Ran giggled at his expression.

            "Is this yours, Ran-nee-chan?" Conan asked, feeling slightly bewildered.

            "It used to belong to my grandfather. When he passed away, my grandmother gave it to me and told me to give it to my future husband. I want to get the ring sized, so I can give it to Shinichi. Do you think he'll like it?" Ran asked, looking serious, the smile vanishing from her face for the first time since that morning.

            Conan beamed up at her.

            "I think he'll be extremely honored, Ran-nee-chan." Ran's smile returned ten-fold.

            "I'm glad!" Ran said as she took the box back from Conan, holding it close to her heart. "Now, if you could tell me, or I mean, find out for me, what Shinichi's ring size is so that I can get it sized to fit him?" Ran said, looking at him, expectantly.

            Warning bells began going off in his head. Ran hadn't told him that she was engaged, yet was asking him to find out Shinichi's ring size.

            She knew. She had to. She knew that Conan and Shinichi were one in the same.

            It wasn't as though it was the first time she had suspected, but now, after everything, she knew but wasn't asking him why. She didn't seem upset or anxious about it. In fact, Ran merely seemed – happy.

            Conan didn't quite know what to say. He felt like she was asking him for a lot more, yet not really expecting anything. He wanted to tell her, he always had, but the worry and the fear left him uncertain. She seemed content with her knowledge – whatever that may be.

            "I'll get you Shinichi's ring size, the right size that will fit him when he can come back – come back for good." The words were harder to get out then they had any right to be, but Ran's eyes softened. She gently stroked his hair, something, again, that he felt she wouldn't usually do.

            "Thank you," Ran said, fiddling with the box. "Do you think...do you think it might take a while before Shinichi can fit into the ring?"

            He looked up at her, his eyes wide. It seemed Ran had figured out that he was only able to be his usual size for short periods of time.

            "I'll wait. I told him I would. Even if – even if it takes him years to grow into it. I love him, so much, and I know he loves me. I'll wait," Ran promised, taking his small, child sized hands into hers.

            "He's trying really, really hard to finish that case. Once he finishes that case, he'll be able to – to come back. It's already taken so much longer than he thought it would. But he's very hopeful," Conan told her as earnestly as he could.

            "Thank you."

            Ran looking at him sadly, but still with a loving smile on her face. The only time he remembered receiving that kind of gaze as Conan from her was when he'd been shot, and she had figured out who he really was. She placed a soft kiss to his forehead before shooing him from her room.

            Somehow he felt even lighter and happier than he had this weekend. She would truly, truly wait for him until he returned to his regular body. She wasn't going to ask him questions. Ran trusted that he would come back to her when he could.

            The next morning, Ran seemed even happier than the previous day. As Ran went about preparing breakfast, Conan stretched out sleepily and stood by the cabinets, just content to watch Ran, occasionally offering assistance when he was able. She hummed and giggled to herself every now and then. She smiled widely at Conan, and he couldn't help smiling back.

            "What to know another secret?" Ran asked, her grin as wide as he'd ever seen it. Conan nodded at her. She gave a little laugh and whispered conspiratorially. "I'm pregnant."

            "Eh?" Conan asked, eyes blinking wide. Then, as her words truly registered. "Eeeeh???" A million thoughts raced through his head. But – but – but she had said she was on birth control! How in the world could she know so soon after they had had-

            Wait...wait a moment. While Conan was busy freaking out, Ran had begun laughing rather hysterically. Taking a moment to get himself under control, he ran through the facts. First and foremost, how in the world would she know she was pregnant less than 48 hours after conception?

            "Are...are you serious Ran-nee-chan?" Conan asked, looking at her warily.

            "Nope!" Ran giggled. It was then that Conan watched as Ran pulled out a pill case and took what Conan was fairly sure was a birth control pill. After she did so, she patted Conan on the head, leaving the room laughing.

            She may not be asking him any questions, but it seemed she was more than happy to pay him back for not telling her who he was. What a cruel joke to play on him! Hopefully that would be the extent of her paying him back for not telling her who he really was.

            Still, with the thought of Haibara working on a permanent cure, more clues than ever to taking down the black organization, he hoped it wouldn't be too long before he could finally tell her everything. As much as he loved their phone conversations, the ones in person were far better.

End.

Hope you enjoyed this randomness. :) ~  Jelp