Archive of Our Own ^beta

Valentine's Day was a day that Ran loved. It was a day for her to think about Shinichi and the gift she should give him.

But it was not like that anymore.

Ran stood behind a tree, watching Conan as he interacted with Haibara, their eyes full of love towards each other.

Ran had figured out that he and Shinichi were one, and when Shinichi stopped calling her so often, she became suspicious. So, she continued playing dumb and asked Conan if he had a special someone.

Needless to say, he did.

And with some more investigations, Ran found out about nearly everything.

Sleeping Kogoro, who knew Conan was Shinichi, and why Masumi was getting close to her and Sonoko in the first place.

Ran felt so stupid and dumb, waiting for Shinichi for so long, when he had months ago fallen for another, and did not bother to tell her.

It started to rain, and she watched as Conan opened his umbrella, and he and Haibara left the park, hand in hand.

"Why... Why me...?" Ran thought miserably as the tears fell down her face, mixed with the rain.

She never complained about the bad things she had in her life, because she knew other people had it worse, but still...

Shinichi was her anchor when she was unsure or when her parents would fight.

And now he wasn't, and,

"The hell are you doing here?!" Ran slightly winced at the loud voice before looking behind her and was surprised to see her new classmate, Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez.

He was different than any other man she had ever met. He was loud, harsh, rude, unafraid to say what was on his mind, wild, fighting with everyone on the streets, especially thugs (which was no surprise since he was both an underground and a professional MMA fighter), a literal bad boy, and since Ran was assigned by the school to show him around, he remained stuck to her even after she was done.

But Ran would be lying if she said that he was ugly. The man was different in his appearance; he was taller than Shinichi and much more muscular, with light blue spiky hair and light blue eyes, with green lines below them.

And now he was wearing black jeans with a shirt, slightly unzipped to show his chest, sleeves rolled up, and black boots.

"You're still hung up on that bastard?" Grimmjow snorted.

Ran frowned, "Just because, for some reason, I decided to tell you what was wrong, doesn't mean you get to comment on it like that!"

"You're just in disbelief that the guy who loved you for years easily left you for another," Grimmjow said bluntly, making Ran's eyes widen.

"Shut up! You don't understand!" Ran snapped.

"What? I don't understand that you're still hung up on the boy you trusted with everything, was your anchor for any problem, left you for another girl who seems to have a dark past, with everyone who knew approving and saying nothing, since they still think you're clueless about him being that pest all along, not giving a shit about you?" Grimmjow spoke the truth bluntly, making Ran remain silent.

The girl stared at him before she stared at the ground, "Are my feelings really not that important...? He could've told me at least... I can tell from their interactions that this has been going on for a while... And the others... Agasa-Hakase... Hattori... I..."

Ran could not continue her words and started crying loudly while Grimmjow just stared at her.

"Who the hell said your feelings aren't important?" Grimmjow scoffed before he grabbed Ran from her chin, making her look at him, and that's when she noticed that he was holding an umbrella above them both.

"If you want me to teach them a lesson, especially that arrogant pervert Kudou, just say the word, and I'll make him beg you for forgiveness," Grimmjow said huskily, meaning every word, his eyes meeting hers.

And it was then that Ran noticed the look in his eyes.

The look of love, adoration, and admiration.

Grimmjow was in love with her. And he did not make a move and was only supporting her as she recovered from her supposed breakup.

"No..." Ran mumbled softly as she held his hand and removed it from her chin slowly, "I don't want you to get hurt."

"I was just going to prank them. Wasn't going to let that bastard catch me," Grimmjow scoffed before he raised an eyebrow with a smirk, "Why? Are you worried about me?"

Ran blinked before she looked away, her face slightly blushing.

"I think... I think I know why I've been talking to you a lot and hanging out with you... I was still thinking about Shinichi, because of the whole childhood love and anchor thing..." Ran then gulped before she continued nervously, "I guess I was afraid to move on... because what happened made me think I was replaceable... but... but I think I know why I tend to avoid your eyes whenever we talk..."

She then looked at him as she said softly, "Because my heart beats so fast whenever I look at them."

Grimmjow said nothing as he pulled Ran closer from her waist, the latter unconsciously placing her hands on his chest, before kissing her forehead.

"Took you long enough to realize that, mi amor." He mumbled as he rested his forehead against hers.

"Sorry... I was being very stupid." Ran sighed.

"What's new?" Grimmjow joked, earning a gasp from Ran before she playfully punched him in the chest, making him chuckle.

"So, what now?" Ran asked.

"Nothing. You'll take your time getting over the pervert, and I'll help you, and I'll wait for you," Grimmjow replied before he smirked, "And I want us to be a secret. Why should they keep secrets from you, and you don't?"

Ran giggled at his words before she nodded, "Agreed."