Chapter 23: And Here we Are

I love you, reviewers! Thank you so much, as always. I have a longer note at the bottom, which you may read at your discretion, as it is quite rambly...about my thoughts on this story, its development...And without further ado, here we enter further into the closing chapters of this fic. I sincerely hope you enjoy it, but as always, constructive criticism is welcome! :D

I do not own Meitantei Conan~

Please R&R~! Thanks so much!

oOo

The little group was sprawled out on various couches and rugs in the Kudou library, the Shounen Tantei excitedly watching Kaito's magical displays. For his part, Shinichi had reluctantly agreed to be Kaito's 'assistant' for the show...something he immediately regretted as he soon realized Kaito's idea of 'assistant,' particularly when he was fulfilling this role, should more rightly have been referred to as "model." The kids giggled madly as the magician snapped his fingers, switching the fuzzy black cat ears sitting on his scowling boyfriend's head to leave him wearing a form-fitting red dress, complete with make-up. Kaito grinned manically at his boyfriend as he hurriedly raced forward to kiss the "beautiful lady's" hands, leaving said hands to clutch a full bouquet of roses which the detective proceeded to throw at him, practically steaming up to his ears.

After scrambling out of the attire for the third time and smacking Kaito none-too-lightly alongside the head, Shinichi plopped ungainly into one of his father's armchairs, hiding his face with a book and grumbling.

"Oh, Shin-chan, don't be cross! You look beautiful no matter how I do you up~" Winking back at the kids, the boys laughing particularly appreciatively, Kaito leaned in to them conspiratorially. "Any ideas? What should we try on him next?"

The sharp glare Kaito was then shot with over the rim of Shinichi's book, followed by a pointed glance at the couch, made Kaito quickly adjust his tune, however. "O~kay, then. I believe our Meitantei has been quite a fabulous sport, so why don't we continue to the next segment of our…"

Chuckling lightly and shaking his head, Shinichi then noticed that Ayumi was no longer crowded around the magician, but was standing by the bookcase, looking at several framed pictures.

"Ayumi-chan?" Shinichi pushed up from his chair and walked over to see what had her so occupied. Craning over her shoulder, he saw that she was looking at a picture of two children standing together at a tanabata festival. On the left, looking embarrassed, was undoubtedly a seven-year-old Shinichi, and hugging him from behind, a little Ran.

Crouching down a bit, Shinichi watched the little girl as she stared at the picture. Finally, Ayumi turned to him and smiled, though a little pool of tears was welling in one eye. Laughing at herself, wiping her eye with the back of her hand, she smiled again at Shinichi. "Sorry. I just…it isn't that I didn't believe you when you told me earlier, but this…" And she indicated the picture again, the boy so clearly Conan-kun as she'd first met him, just without glasses. "But…looking at this picture of Conan-kun the first time he was a kid…"

Shinichi reached forward and clutched her shoulder, applying gentle pressure. "I understand, Ayumi-chan. There's a difference between being told and believing from trust…and seeing something for yourself. That's natural."

She sighed. "I wish…we could have really been kids with you."

His eyes widened, but then he smiled softly at her. "That would have been fun. You guys probably would have made me a nicer guy." He chuckled lightly. "Poor Ran…I used to act pretty arrogant, you know. Even though I cared about her, I was too worried about looking cool to really show it. Now that I think about it, young Shinichi and Conan are, actually, pretty different. And Conan did spend his childhood with you, so don't talk that way. Maybe we're not the same age anymore, but that doesn't matter so much, does it?"

Looking up at him, slightly wide-eyed as she thought over what he'd said, she then smiled genuinely and nodded. "Yeah. I guess…you're right." And she smiled more widely, looking relieved.

Noticing the darkening sky out the window, Shinichi then turned back to the others and called out, "Kai! It's getting late, so let's take them home pretty soon. They have school tomorrow, after all."

Nodding at him, Kaito grinned and snapped his fingers, vanishing the decks of cards the boys had been playing with as they tried their best to learn some simple tricks, and whisked over to Shinichi, looping an arm around his shoulders. "How right you are. Okay, kiddos. Shall we?"

oOo

After depositing the kids back at their respective homes, Shinichi found himself doing a quick once-over of his house, double-taking as he kept noticing little things which were different from how they had been earlier that day... Slight additions to the décor, for instance…His slightly worried frown faded to curiosity when he recognized several conspicuously placed potted plants, however...It was then that it occurred to him that his boyfriend had been uncharacteristically scarse the last half-hour.

"Ne, Kai! Kai?" Shinichi called as he poked his head over the banister.

"In here, Shin-chan!"

Following the voice through to his bedroom, Shinichi blinked. Kaito was kneeling on the ground, surrounded by a sizable stack of hoodies, t-shirts and jeans, re-arranging the framed pictures on the bedside table. Was it just he, or were there several unfamiliar frames added to the bunch? Noticing several additions to his private book collection (mostly said 'additions' written by Maurice LeBlanc), he figured that, no, it was not just him. In the case of the photographs, and the potted plants, as well, Shinichi seemed to have found the likely culprit.

Rolling his eyes and feigning annoyance, but choosing to ignore the other changes his eccentric boyfriend had imposed on his house, Shinichi walked forward to get a better look at the photos Kaito was shifting around. He blinked. Leaning down, placing a hand on Kaito's shoulder, he looked at him in slightly bemused confusion.

"What do you think, Shin-chan?"

"Kaito, when was this…?"

Grinning mischievously, Kaito waved his hand casually, materializing a spy camera, much like the little one they'd used with Hattori.

"Why am I not surprised, you sneaky little..." Shaking his head, Shinichi moved closer to the picture, failing to keep up his annoyed act enough to deter his boyfriend as Kaito's arms looped around his stomach, pulling Shinichi down to rest, somewhat awkwardly, on his lap.

"Don't you look beautiful?" Kaito murmured in his ear.

Shinichi rolled his eyes. "I have to admit, it isn't bad for a stalker photo." He did his best to keep his voice indifferent, though the smile on his lips was telling enough.

Leaning around, Kaito kissed the side of his lips, before presenting the full spread of photos he'd brought over. Shinichi's eyes widened as he looked from the first-of that very morning, Holmes on Kaito's kitchen table, Shinichi leaning down to kiss him-to the subsequent photos, including one of Kaito hugging a scowling Conan from behind, and several of their first date, Shinichi dressed up, looking nervous, their hands clasped lightly...

As he paged through them, Shinichi felt a happy little twinge, and a half-heartedly reluctant sense of appreciation for his boyfriend's impulsive and somewhat invasive behavior. Each of those moments were so precious to him, and to have them caught this way...it felt like a gift. Closing his eyes and smiling softly, Shinichi leaned back into Kaito. "Alright, Kai. But how about warning me next time?"

"We'll see," Kaito responded, laughter ringing his tone, as he hugged his detective more tightly to him from behind, nestling his face in Shinichi's neck.

"So," Shinichi murmured, chuckling lightly, as he turned around in Kaito's lap. Winding his arms around his neck, he pulled Kaito's head down so he could rest his face in his hair. "Who said you could move in?" His tone clearly countered anything like a true objection to the idea.

Kissing his neck gently, Kaito looked up and ran a hand through Shinichi's hair. "Just bringing some things over. I've been gathering a Shinichi section at my place, too…"

Shinichi sat back and blinked at him. "You mean…?"

"The Holmes book I gave you this morning…there's more where that came from. Don't consider it an early birthday present, though. I know you already have your own copies here, after all. Just let it be a …sign of appreciation. From a fan."

"Kaito…" Shinichi said softly, watching him. Then, leaning down, he kissed him slowly. Gently. Pulling back and grinning at him, he kissed him again, this time more fully, twining his fingers in the hair at the nape of his neck. Pressing into him, he felt a hot burning sensation in his chest, and when he pulled back, he thrust Kaito's head down to press against his heart. Crouching over, circling his body around him from above, he whispered in his ear: "Please come and live with me. Or I'll live with you. I know I don't really need to ask, but I want to anyway…"

Reaching up blindly to rest his hands on either side of Shinichi's face, Kaito raised his face to stare up at his detective, something suspiciously like tears settling in the corners of his eyes.

Shinichi gently brushed away the slight trail of salt-water which had trickled down at last, and then leaned in to kiss Kaito's eyelids, tasting the tears on his lips. From Kaito's right eye, he moved to his left, gently tasting the tears on his cheek with his tongue before drawing back to look at his drier (but wider)-eyed boyfriend and pressing close once again to breathe in the floral scent of his hair.

Kaito's arms wound more tightly around his back, and Shinichi tipped forward into him as Kaito stretched them on the hardwood floor, their heartbeats pounding in time with each other, and fiercely at that.

oOo

That night, as they undressed for bed, neither could keep their eyes off the other for long. Holding out his hand ceremoniously, Kaito helped Shinichi into bed, he himself crawling in after to curl on his other side, positioning his head beside Shinichi's on his pillow. For a time they just lay there, one hand clutched in the other's, while each used their free hand to trace the other's profile.

"Kai," Shinichi whispered, eyes gleaming slightly as the moonlight flashed off of them.

"Mm?" Kaito asked as he massaged Shinichi's cheek with his thumb.

"This has been the first time," he said. "The first time we've had a whole day…without interruption…that we've gotten to fall asleep together two nights in a row…just like…it should be," he added quietly.

Kaito pursed his lips before smiling at Shinichi, beaming at him with his full expression, gently drawing him closer, pressing him to his neck. "Just like it will be, you mean. Just like it is."

"Yeah," Shinichi agreed, wrapping his free arm snugly around Kaito's thin but muscular torso, and both legs around his thighs, bringing him even closer.

And just like that, with another goodnight kiss, they fell asleep in each other's embraces, savoring the moment and each other, yet unafraid of what the morning would bring.

And when it came, it was more of the same. Sleepy bliss upon waking. Bodies entangled, still the same size. The smell of coffee brewing downstairs…Shinichi leaned into the man he now saw as his one and only lifetime partner, snuggling into his chest for more of his irresistible warmth.

Kaito's light chuckles tickled Shinichi's cheek where it was pressed against the magician's throat. Shinichi smiled into Kaito as the magician wrapped him up more tightly in his hot limbs.

"I got a call from Ran-chan," Kaito whispered. "I approve of the place but I wanted to ask your opinion," he said, lightly brushing his fingers along Shinichi's cheek. The detective leaned into his magician's gentle touch, but was less enthusiastic at the prospect of waking up to face reality where snuggling in bed, free of worries, with the person you love most in the world, wouldn't cut it…

Noticing his furrowed eyebrows, and grinning with loving amusement as he noticed, once again, just how babyish his normally super-mature detective could be before his morning dose of caffeine, Kaito laughed, drawing him close once again. "I know," he said. "Part of me wishes we could just stay in bed together all day."

"Why don't we?" Shinichi muttered.

Kaito blinked at him. Taking a hand to draw his detective's bangs back, resting his forehead against Shinichi's, Kaito pulled back a bit and said, "Do mine ears deceive me? Perchance a certain carefree thief has, after all, rubbed off on a certain Meitantei I know and love?"

Shinichi grumbled a little, but only burrowed further into Kaito's chest.

With another laugh, Kaito said, "I have a solution."

Before Shinichi had time to formulate a question or even a coherent sense of anxiety at his thief's tone, Kaito had swept Shinichi up in his arms, marriage-style, responding to his detective's squawks of protest at the loss of warmth and change of position by kissing him full on the lips.

That did the job of distracting Shinichi from his sleepiness effectively. Blinking as his boyfriend's kiss pulled him into more substantial consciousness, he smirked slightly, and reaching behind Kaito's neck, pulled his face close to kiss him again.

When his detective had finally finished kissing him and Kaito opened his eyes, he noticed they were, once again, back in bed. "You're…sneaky," Kaito said softly, eyes wide in amusement, quite obviously impressed by his Shinichi's tactic.

Shinichi grinned at him, but this time, he stood up first, and reached down to take Kaito's hand in his own. Pulling him up, lacing their fingers together, Shinichi smiled at the even-more-messy-haired-than-usual Kaito and said, innocently, "As you were saying?"

Returning his look, but with a smirk tracing its way onto his lips, Kaito said, "Yes, as I was saying. I'll say it worked." And leaning in to claim another kiss for good measure, Kaito once again swept Shinichi into his arms and ran them through the hallway and down the stairs.

"K-Kaito! We're not dressed!" Shinichi hissed as he looped his arms around the magician's neck tightly.

"Oh, Shin-chan," Kaito said offhandedly as he planted his only-boxers-wearing boyfriend in a chair at the kitchen table, appeasing him momentarily with a steaming hot cup of some specialty coffee the Kudous had bought somewhere… "No one's going to see anything, for goodness sakes!"

Rolling his eyes, Shinichi nevertheless made little as far as objection goes as Kaito pulled him in for another kiss, he still sitting at the kitchen table, Kaito leaning over him.

"Kai, did you…hear something?" Shinichi broke the kiss to say.

"You're just being paranoid, Shinichi. Don't worry, no one ever sneaks up on me," Kaito answered, pulling him into another kiss. Grinning into the soft but passionate lips working at him, Shinichi kissed him back. Standing and running his hands down his boyfriend's bare and muscled torso, Shinichi pushed him against the fridge, pressing his body against his.

"Shin-chan! We're ho-!"

The next second, a loud clatter, several gasps, a half-scream of mortification, a little squeal, and several other sounds could be heard reverberating throughout the Kudou household. Horrified, and attempting to hide his completely naked boyfriend behind him while trying to hide the fact that he himself was wearing only boxers after having been passionately kissing said boyfriend…while trying to wrap his head around just WHY his parents had to have such great timing…Shinichi failed. Miserably.

Kaito's shocked expression morphed into amusement and understanding as the identity of the mustached man and blond woman in the door became clear to him, and with a snap and a flash of pink smoke, he and Shinichi were standing in the same pose, same position, but completely dressed.

"K-kaasan…Tousan," Shinichi squeaked, backing into Kaito who firmly gripped his shoulders from behind, stopping him from toppling over where he stood.

"Well," Kudou Yuusaku said conversationally, "That was a surprise."

Shinichi couldn't meet his eyes. Suddenly, dissecting the old stains on the kitchen tiling seemed to be of the utmost importance to him. He was in the middle of trying to regulate his breathing, not yet to the stage of processing just what exactly his parents had seen him doing, when his mother let out a high-pitched squeal and ran forward, hugging him tightly.

Blinking and staring forward in shock, Shinichi locked eyes with his father who was watching him in affectionate amusement, smiling, as his mother continued to try to squeeze the living daylights from him.

"K-Kaasan, what are you…?"

"Sweetheart," she said, tears brimming in her eyes. "We thought you'd never get your body back! This is wonderful!"

Shinichi stared at her in gaping shock, completely having forgotten that other moderately large surprise his parents just MIGHT care slightly more about than his love-life…eh, knowing mom, not sure if that's true, really…great. I'm really screwed…But looking at her heartfelt expression, Shinichi sputtered around a bit, blinking before smiling and hugging her back.

"Yeah, mom. It's a long story, but I may be back…or, I may be able to get so I can stay back…for good, this time."

Shinichi felt a sense of warmth and solid hope filling him up as he felt the outpouring affection for him in the room. Kaito's warm, sturdy hand was still clutching his left shoulder, Yukiko had stopped hugging him, but was clutching one of his hands in her own, pressing it to her cheek, and Yuusaku had stepped forward, grinning at him widely, placing his strong, warm hand on Shinichi's upper arm. "Glad to see you from this angle, son."

"Tousan…" Shinichi grumbled.

"Well," Yukiko said, clapping her hands together suddenly. "You can tell us the details later, dear, but first of all…" And she grinned up at Kaito. "When were you planning on introducing your handsome guest?"

Shinichi blushed, but Kaito's musical laughter in his ear made the butterflies in his stomach fly around madly rather than simply flutter, feebly, in embarrassment.

Turning to look at Kaito, Shinichi smiled and took a deep breath. Taking his hand carefully in his, Shinichi turned back to his parents. "Otousan, Okaasan. I'd like you to meet…Kaito. He's my boyfriend, actually, and…"

Before he could continue, both of his parents were looking at Kaito with strange expressions, and Shinichi looked back and forth, trying to figure out what he was missing.

"Uh…"

"Kuroba Kaito?" Yuusaku asked.

"Toichi-sensei's son?" Yukiko added.

"Uh, yeah, but,…hold on! Toichi-SENSEI? You…you were dad's student?" Kaito's poker face, usually making at least a cursory appearance for first-time meetings, was totally ripped away. Instead, he almost seemed young, innocent, as if the mention of his father had wrenched him back to years before.

Smiling at him sadly but affectionately, Yukiko nodded. "That's right, sweetie. Yuusaku and I were quite good friends with your dad, actually."

"You-you were?" Kaito turned to face Shinichi, but almost equal shock was registering on his face.

Stepping forward, sputtering about, Shinichi said, "So-so you mean…Kaito and I could have met that long ago? Why didn't we?"

"Actually," Yuusaku put in. "You did meet each other, if I remember correctly. It was quite a meeting, too," he added, chuckling.

"Wait, wait, wait. Explain. Now." Shinichi instinctively clutched Kaito's hand more tightly, and the magician moved closer, looping his arm around his shoulder.

"Of course, sweetie," Shinichi's mother responded. "But how about if we sit down and talk about it calmly in the living room?"

A few minutes later, everyone nursing hot cups of coffee, the group had retired to the living room, and Kaito had pulled Shinichi close beside him on a love seat as the Kudous sat down in armchairs on the other side of the medium-sized coffee table.

Shinichi tried feebly to pull away, his embarrassment at having his parents see them acting too…well, he failed anyway. And his attempts were honestly half-hearted, simply born of fleeting anxiety at this sudden meeting of two distinct worlds of his... Kaito seemed to get this, and only pulled Shinichi more firmly to his side, looping an arm around him, and lacing his fingers through his reassuringly.

Shinichi was burning as he could feel eyes, particularly his mother's, watching their every move. His father, he noticed, was politely looking elsewhere, though he didn't seem to be bothered by the display…

"Um, Shin-chan?" Yukiko started. "Not to bring up anything uncomfortable, but I guess things with Ran-chan…"

At this, Shinichi's embarrassment broke as the reality of everything came soaring back to him. Pushing himself more surely into Kaito's side, Shinichi squeezed his boyfriend's hand and said, looking up at his mother with clear eyes, "Ran and I have worked things out. She has someone now and I…" His heart pounding in his head, he decided to really throw his embarrassment away for the sake of no more misunderstandings, and sighed, leaning his head to rest on Kaito's shoulder, the magician instantly responding by stroking his hand through Shinichi's hair.

Looking between his parents with determined, serious eyes, Shinichi said, "Kaito and I are in love and…" His breath caught, and he felt unable to go on, but Kaito's reassuring and appreciative squeeze on his hand wrenched his remaining fears away. Looking to his boyfriend, Kaito winked at him, muttering "Leave the rest to me," as he scooted forward on the couch to face Shinichi's parents.

"Yuusaku-san, Yukiko-san, I want you to know…I promise you. I promise I will make Shinichi happy. I understand this may seem far too sudden to you, but to us…this is a thing that can't be undone. We are now absolutely necessary to each other, for each other. Even if…you disapprove, I'm still going to be with him. I sincerely hope, though, that someday you can see our love for what it is and…" Looking at Shinichi and brushing his hand along his cheek, Kaito then turned back to the Kudous, smiling. "And even cheer us on. We'd love to have you as part of our family, after all…"

The Kudous had waited, letting Kaito finish speaking before giving any kind of response, though Yukiko had had a noticeably difficult time doing so. Once the magician had stopped talking, she let the culmination of the responses she had been dying to give during his speal out at once, and as if opening a floodgate, she burst into tears.

Kaito stared, shocked. Oh shit, I made her cry! Looking back, warily and apologetically, at Shinichi, Kaito noticed that he was rolling his eyes at the woman leaning into Yuusaku's chest. Turning back, Kaito found himself staring into a mane of blond hair as the woman hugged him tightly.

"Oh, Kaito-kun! How could you ever even think we would disapprove? You silly! If you guys love each other, then we couldn't be happier! And to think! Toichi-sensei's son joining our family! It's really a miracle!"

Kaito and Shinichi exchanged shocked looks, but then Kaito smiled into Yukiko's tight grip, hugging her back. "Thank you," he whispered. "Yukiko-san, I really…"

"You can call me okaasan, Kaito-kun," she winked as she pulled back.

"Wh-wha?"

"Well, you're going to be my son-in-law, aren't you? Might as well!"

"S-son-in-law…" Kaito felt as if a bolt of lightening had slammed through his brain as he tried to process this.

For Shinichi's part, his own embarrassment and mortification were somewhat overridden by how odd it was to see Kaito looking so utterly speechless and shocked. His mother was the height of crazy, after all. Guess Kaito just isn't used to being outdone in that arena. Shinichi chuckled at the thought.

Both boys then noticed that Yuusaku had left his seat and had approached them. Smiling at Kaito, he said "If you're half the man Toichi was, and based on what I've seen, and the somewhat…strict criteria Shinichi has for those closest to him, I'm willing to bet you more than fit that requirement…" Smiling more widely, he said, "Take care of him, will you?"

"Of-of course," Kaito half-whispered.

"Wonderful. Well, then…this has certainly put a wrench in our plans."

"Plans?" Shinichi asked.

"We were thinking of kidnapping you from Ran-chan's place and taking you with us to Greece, Shin-chan! But now…"

"Yukiko, could you go ahead and cancel our reservations while I speak with them?"

"Make sure you tell me what I miss!" She said, sing-songily.

"Of course, my dear." Yuusaku grinned as his wife pecked him on the lips before running over to muss the two younger men's hair and leaving the room.

"Um, tousan? Why did you change your plans? Even if I can't go…"

"Oh, it isn't that. And you will be going, of course. When we reschedule, we'll have to make sure there's an extra seat on the plane for Kaito-kun, however," he said casually.

Kaito blinked and began to sputter incoherently. But the surprises weren't over.

"So here's what I want to ask you," Yuusaku said, turning to them, his expression suddenly serious. "Kaito-kun. How is your progress with Pandora, and how might I assist you?"

Shinichi and Kaito froze so quickly and violently that Yuusaku, were it not for the fact that he'd been expecting and hoping for such a reaction, would have feared it as being the beginning signs of them going catatonic.

"W-wha…Wait a minute, Yuusaku-san," Kaito recovered clumsily. "I'm not, that is, why would you say that? I'm not sure what you…"

"Kaito-kun," Yuusaku said patiently. "'I'm sure you've heard tell of who, exactly, named Kid the phantom thief?"

"Yeah, I know that you did, sir, but…"

"As I already mentioned, Toichi was a close friend of mine. He was also my rival, and the model for my Night Baron series," he explained. "Though we never had the kind of…relationship…you two have, I certainly counted him as among a very few I've ever trusted with most of my secrets."

"Wait, so dad…he told you?"

Kaito was aware, with a twinge, that by saying what he just had, he had openly admitted to his being Kid, but then again …this was Shinichi's dad, and he'd known his dad…and no matter how it unnerved him that the novelist seemed to know so much, no matter how intimidating his penetrating eyes were, so odd to see them on someone's face other than his beloved Shinichi's, he knew he could trust him, and so didn't try as hard as he otherwise would have to keep up the charade.

"Not directly, no. But give me credit, Kaito-kun. I presume, from what I know, that you and Shinichi first got to know each other as thief and detective. Well, I knew Toichi first as my wife's teacher and as a close personal friend. I would often attend his shows. Several of my reviews should still be searchable, actually…though they aren't really worth looking into…"

"But, if you don't mind my saying…if you know the mannerisms, voice modulations, and appearance of someone as well as I did your father's, and if you have a rather keen sense of observation, the Kid mask just isn't…well. Let's just say that, once I knew for sure, it was all a matter of time before things came pouring out…And then Pandora. And his murder. When Shinichi was involved in the Black Organizations schemes, I was almost certain it was the same group…"

"Wait. If you knew…why didn't you say anything? You already knew about them?" Shinichi asked hotly, sudden anger burning in his chest.

"As you are likely aware, the faction you were exposed to, and the group of snipers targeting Kid, are somewhat separate. If you'd known what I'd learned from Toichi, Shinichi, you may have worked in a way which would have alerted Snake and his people to you, and honestly…I didn't think you needed an extra assassin on your tail. Particularly one so dangerous as that one…"

"Oh, we're quite aware of how dangerous he is," Shinichi muttered, and Kaito instantly pulled him closer.

"Shinichi? What are you…?"

Shinichi shook his head. "Another long story, otousan, and I'll tell you, but first of all…Do you have files, then, that might help us? Now that the main faction has been rooted out, all that's left is to take care of the bastard after Kaito. What information can you give us? If you help us, we really may have a chance…"

"And now you understand why I had Yukiko cancel our plans," Yuusaku replied evenly, smiling, before motioning for them to follow him to his study where they shared theories, facts and plans until Yukiko interrupted them with a tray bursting with cakes and tea. And she, of course, bursting with questions, something she made quite clear as she sat herself in between the two young men on the mahogany couch, beaming back and forth before settling her gaze on the more compliant of the two...

oOo

"Well, so much for our private morning and day of calm," Shinichi muttered as he and Kaito fished around Shinichi's bedroom for something to wear to the outing they'd all but forgotten about until Yukiko had, again, mentioned Ran…

Kaito's arms gently snaked around him, pulling him close. "Isn't this great, though, Shin-chan? A lead like this…it's one-in-a-million! And help from your father of all people…"

Moving his hands to hold Kaito's where they clutched him around his chest, Shinichi spun in Kaito's grip to look slightly up into his eyes. "Are you nervous?" He asked softly.

"I'm nervous," Kaito responded without hesitation. "Now that I, once again, now more than ever, have so much to lose…I'm terrified, to be honest. However…" and leaning closer, eyes fixed on Shinichi's he said, softly, "I'm also thrilled. I have a reason, now. A future I can't wait to begin. Once we get rid of this bastard, Shinichi, we're going to have such a happy life ahead of us. That is…"

And he blushed. Noticing the unfamiliar hot heat on his cheeks, he only blushed more. Clearing his throat, he said, "I mean, your mom kind of assumed, but I didn't ask you, I mean…I want to keep you with me forever, Shinichi, but if you want more space or-"

His words were effectively cut off as Shinichi kissed him, his arms running up to push Kaito's head closer to his.

And he continued to kiss him, sucking on his lip and tongue, and pushing him down on the twin bed, crawling over him to kiss him again and again. "You idiot," Shinichi said into his ear, his tone making the phrase seem both somewhat obscene and like the most affectionate name he could have come up with…Pressing his body almost hungrily against Kaito's, he traced his hands up, crouching to drink in his face as he smiled. "If you ever think of leaving me…" And he kissed him again, Kaito reaching up and kissing him back.

"I won't. I told you. I'll never leave you, Shinichi. You're mine…and as you know...we thieves are somewhat possessive." And he winked before his face again turned serious. "I mean it, though. I'll be with you as long as we live."

Then there was a knock on the door. "Sweeties, you're going to be late for your date! Do you want me to run your bath water? One or two towels?"

Once again, Yukiko had outdone herself, and Shinichi found himself comotose in Kaito's arms. Kaito, however, seemed to appreciate her sense of humor more readily and called out, cheerfully, "Two towels, please! But we'll share the bath-water, no worries!"

"Kai!" Shinichi hissed.

"It's more eco-friendly~" He said loudly, grinning manically. A few minutes later, Shinichi's face was buried in Kaito's chest in mortification as his boyfriend half-dragged/half-carried him through the hallway towards the bathroom, catching an amused wink from Yukiko on the way (which, luckily for Shinichi, the detective didn't notice).

When they left to meet their friends at Haido port, Shinichi wished his parents brusque and embarrassed goodbyes before racing ahead to the front gate from which he watched as Kaito enthusiastically hugged both of his parents before giving Yukiko a carnation for good measure. Rolling his eyes at the creepily similar winks he received from his father and boyfriend after this, the two then set off, hands clutched tightly together.

Kaito noticed with no small amount of glee that Shinichi, despite his usual embarrassment where PDA was concerned, was the one making sure to keep a tight hold on his hand, even occasionally tipping his head to lean on his shoulder...

Smiling at him, eyebrows raised questioningly, Shinichi shrugged and responded, smiling back, "I told you, Kai. From now on, there's no more hiding…on this point, at least. We're together. I'm not going to shout it on tv, but no matter who sees us, I'm never going to deny it. I'm proud of you, Kaito, and I feel…so lucky to be with you and I…" Kaito answered him with a gentle kiss on the cheek.

"Likewise, I'm sure," he responded, grinning, "But Shin-chan…I might just announce it on tv." This earned him a slight flick on the shoulder before Shinichi laughed and rested his head there once again.

Suddenly stopping and looking at Shinichi, eyes wide, Kaito said, "Oh, I can't believe we forgot! Didn't Yuusaku-san say we'd met before? When we were kids?"

Shinichi nodded slowly. "Y-yeah, he did…"

"Well, we'll just have to ask him next time, I suppose. We'll have plenty of chances…"

"Yeah..." Shinichi said, his voice and expression somewhat faraway, and somewhat troubled.

"What's wrong?"

"I wonder what reasons they had...I know I shouldn't jump to conclusions before hearing them out, but if we'd met, and...from what tousan said, even gotten along...why don't we know about it? Why didn't we meet later? Why..."

Kaito looked thoughtful, and settled a hand in Shinichi's hair, playing with his one messy poof soothingly. "As you said, we won't know until we ask..."

"But..." And Shinichi's voice was hard. "If...we'd been friends, then...maybe I could have helped when Toichi-san..." He stopped, fists clenched, pressing more insistently into Kaito's side.

Kaito then stopped walking, and yanked Shinichi into him for a tight hug. "Don't talk that way. There's no use, Shin-chan. There will always be things which could have gone differently, and perhaps we would have been better off if they had...but then again, who knows? We can't, right? All I know..." And he squeezed him even more tightly, "Is that I have you now, and that's everything."

Shinichi pursed his lips, but nodded, squeezing Kaito back. Softly, he mumbled "Sorry," but Kaito laughed lightly into his ear, tickling him and making things seem much brighter than they had moments before.

Walking together again, once again interlacing their fingers as they did so, they touched on the lighter topics of the day. When the topic found its way back to Kudou Yukiko, Shinichi let out a long-suffering groan.

Kaito raised his eyebrows questioningly.

Shinichi gave him a half-smile, but then rolled his eyes. "Okaasan is so damned fond of sticking her nose in others' business, it's unbelievable."

"Particularly when it comes to her dear Shin-chan, right?" Kaito sang, nuzzling his nose into Shinichi's hair.

The detective responded with a sigh. "Unfortunately. Kai, how about if we just stay at your place from now on? If mom tries to suggest anything, a shower or otherwise, again,…I just might go ballistic."

"Oh, well we wouldn't want that, now would we?" Kaito purred, stroking the hand he held with his other. "But you know, your mother's eccentricities neither here nor there, I'm really happy."

Shinichi turned to look at him.

"I have you, and…our misgivings aside, they knew my dad…and they know about the baddies. In a way, it feels like…I've taken back something precious. Something those bastards stole from me. We're going to get rid of them once and for all, and finally, dad'll be able to rest in peace…and again...I have you. I couldn't be happier," he said softly, pulling Shinichi close into him.

Hardly taking a glance around for passersby, Shinichi leaned forward and lightly kissed Kaito on the lips. "You're not alone in that," he said.

As always, thank you so much for reading! Plenty of sappiness here, huh? Cheesy overload! Hope you enjoyed it, though!

I always wonder if with each chapter, I bring in too many new issues to settle. I'm also aware that I've kind of let certain plot devices tangle themselves into knots (particularly concerning the whole issue of the magic spell and Akako). But the fault lies greatly in the fact that I began writing this based on a dream. Originally, i thought I'd make it a one-shot, with Shinichi finding himself only able to turn back with Kaito's kiss...but it just exploded from there. The story has written itself, and that has been greatly thanks to my support. More than greatly. I really appreciate you guys! Of course, since I never had more than a vague plan and a spark of inspiration when I first sat down to write this, it probably has some organization issues.

However, love is like that. And so, this has become, more and more, a sketching of the crazy/awesome development of Kaito and Shinichi's relationship. For those of you who have stayed with me till now, I can't tell you how much I appreciate it!

And now, we enter the home stretch, where I try to gather up the different threads I have left hanging. Wish me luck!

And sorry for the super-long ramble. Any advice or ideas you can give me would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks again~

tess4aria