Secrets Unraveled

Aylin had been organizing his messy notes on everyone in town to find suspects when he jumped out of his skin when he heard a knock on his window. On the second floor. 

His first thought was this was Ryusei trying to play a joke on him, but then he remembered Ryusei was in California, and thus there was no way he was here now. He pulled a machete out of his desk as he slowly walked to the window, pulling back the curtain, and was shocked to see Lucca was there, standing on a ladder. 

"Lucca?" He asked as he opened the window, "What are you doing here? It's three in the morning."

"I know." Lucca sighed, "But I saw your light on from across the street and really need to ask you something. I've been doing some investigating, and I know it's a little rude to come over late, but it's not like we're ever truly alone during the daytime." Mention of the case had Aylin letting him in, knowing he could trust Lucca.

It became apparent by the haphazard method of getting in the window that Lucca had never snuck into someone's house before. He helped him up as Lucca brushed down his sweater, "So what is it?" 

Lucca paused, nodding to himself as though psyching himself up, "Alright. So I've been investigating like you said and I—I can't beat around the bush anymore. I know you're Raven." 

Of all the things Aylin expected Lucca to say, that was not it. He knew Lucca was smart—it was why he believed the young man could help him on the case—but he had thought he was hiding his secret better than that. He'd only lived here a month, and had been protecting his secret for ten years! 

Regardless of his shock, he maintained a poker face, "And what makes you think that?"

"Well, first of all, your investigation techniques are very similar, and you've uncovered the existence of a case everybody in town has been oblivious to for twenty years—meaning that you have experience in this field."

"So, I'm gifted." Aylin sat down, "What makes you think I am the world's greatest detective? I'm seventeen, do you really think someone like me could be Raven?"

Lucca chuckled, "I will admit, you're brilliant, but remember when I was talking to you about Raven the other day and the various theories existing on the internet? Your expression changed, and there were moments you were getting almost defensive—especially the relationship between Raven and Cardinal. Also, Noah has no chill and heavily implied your identity when we were working on the project last night while you were in the bathroom—I had been suspecting it before, but his comment made me sure enough to know I needed to ask."

Aylin cursed his young cousin's big mouth but supposed Noah would think Lucca already knew if they were working on cases together—something Aylin did using his alias and not as himself.

He sighed, knowing the game was up, "Alright, you got me. But please don't treat me any differently. I came here to live a normal life for a little while. I didn't mean to stumble upon a case."

Lucca tensed, and Aylin knew his friend had a ton of questions that now he felt far too anxious to ask. Aylin sat on the bed, hugging himself a little, images flashing in his mind of his enemies, getting their hands on Lucca, and hurting him for information on Raven. 

No, he refused to let Lucca get hurt for this. The best course of action was to finish the case—or maybe leave immediately if the pattern is those who looked too deep into things being the victims. Otherwise, the people were oblivious to this. If he left now—

"Aylin!" He didn't realize he was hyperventilating until Lucca's hands were gripping his shoulders, "Breathe with me, okay? Deep breath in, and out, follow my lead." Aylin focused on Lucca's breathing, noticing the moment he started relaxing, and Lucca enveloped his body in a hug.

"You weren't supposed to find out," Aylin whispered, "I need to go."

"I'll keep your secret," Lucca assured, one of his hands running through Aylin's messy brunette locks, and another hand tracing little figure eights on his back. "And I won't treat you any differently. You're still Aylin to me—I'm going to assume that's actually your name." Aylin nodded a little, then forced himself out of Lucca's warm embrace.

"Thank you, but that's not why I have to leave. Do you have any idea how many enemies I have? If anyone finds out about Raven working in this case, you could be tortured and killed for information."

"Who? Cardinal?" While that idea had haunted his nightmares for years now, Cardinal knew everything about Aylin, so his supposed nemesis was the least of his worries. 

"No. But there are other people. I don't want you to get hurt."

"So we solve the case as Aylin and Lucca, no Raven involved." Lucca brightened, "It's not like anyone else in this town suspects anything. My father thinks you're peculiarly bright, but that's on the standard of everyone thought you would be a total idiot since you're from the city and..." 

Aylin nodded, standing up and pacing, "Yes, but... Lucca, promise me you won't freak out," Lucca nodded, "I might need to call Cardinal to help us with the case. If Raven isn't getting involved, we need someone good with people to get in hard places."

Lucca's eyes widened comically, "You have a serial killer and your supposed nemesis on speed dial?!" But he didn't sound afraid in the slightest, and it made Aylin relax a little, knowing the question Lucca so badly wanted to ask. Well, the damage had been done, and at this point, having someone understand the truth would come in handy. 

"Yes... You were right about there being more to my relationship to Cardinal than meets the eye." He sucked in a breath, "He's my twin brother, Ryusei." If possible, Lucca's expression got even more excited, and Aylin momentarily had no idea if it was because he was too naive to understand the danger he was in knowing these secrets, or he truly wasn't afraid. However, after reading Lucca's expressions, he realized that Lucca understood the weight of this new responsibility and simply didn't care. 

Maybe this was the right time to confront Lucca about his bulimia—no, that was a talk for another day. Especially as the phone rang, and Aylin rolled his eyes because speak of the devil, and he shall call. But could he really bring himself to bring his brother in on this case? 

Then he shook himself. This was for the greater good, and it was either get Ryusei's help, or Lucca could be in grave danger. 

He answered the phone, "Hey, Ryu. I need your help."