Disclaimer: I don't own DC or MK.

*Technically* this is a sequel to The Confidant, because I wrote it in response to the readers of that fic who requested more. However, you don't need to have read The Confidant to read this.

I'm posting it separately instead of as a second chapter for several reasons. First, this one isn't about Kudo and there isn't really a mystery that Saguru's investigating, so it's got a very different feel to it. Second, while The Confidant had some cute KaiSagu interactions, it was only there if you were looking for it. This fic is entirely focused on the dynamic between Saguru and Kaito. I didn't want to post it as part of The Confidant because that fic was not very shippy and this one really, really is. Third, while Kaito loved being utterly ridiculous in The Confidant, he dialed it back some later on in this fic (the switch-over happens about where I cut the story in half).

Apologies for the long author's note. Hope you enjoy the fic!

xxxxxxXXXxxxxxx

Saguru blinked and wondered how he'd gotten a magician in his lap. One second he'd been texting Kudo about a cold case during physics lecture and the next his phone was gone and Kuroba was playing with his hair. "You should pay attention during class, Haku-chan."

"I don't want to hear that from you, Kuroba-kun. I can see you doodling from my seat." The rest of the class apparently knew what was good for them and ignored Kuroba's behavior as they moved seats around for group work. On the scale of one to Kuroba, the prankster invading Saguru's personal space only merited a three.

"Who were you talking to?" Kuroba asked.

Saguru saw no reason to conceal the information. "A mutual acquaintance who's a bit short on help at the moment."

Kuroba's eyes flickered in understanding at the word short. "I see. And what's the precocious little gumshoe up to now?"

"Detective work, nothing you'd be interested in." He paused. "Are you planning on getting off of my lap anytime soon? I'd like to fill out the practice packet that the teacher's sending around."

He snorted. "Like you couldn't figure it out blindfolded and listening to six orchestras simultaneously."

"Get off, Kuroba."

He gasped dramatically. "Haku-chan! How inappropriate for school. At least save the sweet talk for the bedroom."

Saguru rolled his eyes at the other meaning for the phrase "get off". "You're a seven-year-old." He lightly bopped him on the head.

"No, your favorite non-fictional detective is the seven-year-old. I'm the incredibly attractive magician who's been trying to get your attention for the last ten minutes."

"Modest too," Saguru muttered. Then, louder, he continued: "Why?"

"Aoko's planning to go with a group of people to the festival that's a week from Friday, and I was wondering if you'd be interested in coming."

"I don't own a yukata." There was a slight sting in admitting that, since growing up in England meant he was missing out on the other half of his culture.

"You don't need one for the festival, but you can borrow one of mine if you want."

"You're six centimeters shorter than me."

Kuroba's smile widened to include more teeth. "Yukata are one-size-fits-all. It's all in how you position the fabric around the waist. C'mon, I can show you. The festival will be lots of fun."

"Will you let me complete my physics work in peace if I agree?"

"Of course not."

"Then what incentive do I have to acquiesce?"

"Besides the opportunity to have fun? Well, I thought you were committed in your declaration to catch the Kid. I guess I was wrong." His eyes sparkled with humor. "If you really wanted to be thorough, you'd jump at the chance to come over to my house and search for evidence. Given that you think I'm him, that is."

"For someone who doesn't want Kid caught, you sure are pulling out all the stops to – ah. Nakamori-chan threatened you to get people to go next week, didn't she?"

"Caught me red-handed, detective. So please?"

"Manipulative imp. Sure, I'll go."

xxxxxxXXXxxxxxx

Saguru was contemplating the wisdom of agreeing to enter a trickster's home when said trickster knew he was coming and could potentially have prepared all sorts of unfortunate surprises. Thankfully, Kuroba answered the door looking less mischievous than usual, so Saguru was temporarily reassured. "Come in." Kuroba was already in a yukata, and though violet was not the color Saguru would have pegged as the magician's choice, it didn't look girly in the slightest.

"We have exactly thirty minutes before we agreed to meet Nakamori-chan and the others at the festival. I trust it won't take too long to put this on?"

Kuroba shook his head, gliding into the living room. "Stand here, please. Is light green okay?" Saguru nodded, then flinched a little as the devilish grin made an appearance. "Shirt off." Whew. Saguru had been expecting hair dye or glitter.

As he unbuttoned his shirt, he stated, "If by some chance I find out later that I'm wearing this inside-out, I will repay you in kind."

"How could you fail to trust me?" Kuroba feigned a wounded expression, unfolding the garment carefully.

"Some past experiences come to mind," he answered mildly.

"Pants."

"I beg your pardon?"

"Your pants have to come off too."

Saguru stared at him, trying to remember which underwear he currently had on. To stall, he asked, "Do I have to take them off?"

"Yes," Kuroba answered, amused. "Unless you'd like me to take them off for you." The eyebrows waggled playfully, and Saguru couldn't get his belt undone fast enough. Kuroba tittered a little, but held out the yukata for Saguru to slip his arms into. Working from behind him, Kuroba adjusted the length of the vestment. "Arms out of my way, you giant." It felt oddly like he was getting a hug until Kuroba tied the obi in the back. "All set. Lemme see you."

Saguru turned around. "I'll settle for passable. It's expected that someone who looks like a foreigner would seem out of place in a –"

"You're perfect," Kuroba interrupted. He produced a thornless yellow rose with red tips and stuck it behind Saguru's ear. His grin returned. "You're going to knock 'em dead, Hakuba." Then he covered his mouth, eyes widening dramatically. "Oh dear, I'm terribly sorry. That's the wrong turn of phrase to use for a detective, isn't it?"

xxxxxxXXXxxxxxx

Of course, because Saguru left his clothes at Kuroba's house, that meant he had to return with the magician at the end of the night. The light was on in the kitchen window, and when Kuroba knocked on the door, a woman – presumably Kuroba-kun's mother – answered with a smile. "My baby," she said, pulling the messy-haired brunette into a hug. "You forgot to leave a note about going out. I called Ginzo when it was eleven and you still weren't home, and he said you were probably at the festival with Aoko."

"Sorry, Mom, I'll remember next time." He nodded at his guest. "Hakuba didn't have a yukata, so I let him borrow one. I put his clothes upstairs so they wouldn't end up in the wash today."

"Go get them, then." Looking at the detective, she inquired: "Would you like some tea while my crazy child gets changed?"

"I'd be delighted," he answered, glad that Kuroba's mother, at least, seemed sane.

"Talk about books or something," Kuroba-kun called from the stairs.

Saguru was invited into the kitchen and discussed mystery novels with Kuroba-san once he had properly introduced himself. He purposely left out the part about being in Japan to catch the Kaitou Kid, but the subject of phantom thieves came up anyway when they got to the Night Baron series. Kuroba-san was vehemently opposed to the title character committing murder in order to get away, but enjoyed the pacing and writing style of the books as well as the ingenuity of the heists. Saguru admitted that it was well constructed, but balked at the idea of romanticizing the villain's crimes.

"You'll have to come back again to finish this discussion," Kuroba-san declared with a chuckle when her son emerged in normal attire with a familiar set of clothes in hand. "Kaito won't read about the Night Baron and I don't know anyone else who would be interested in deconstructing the novels like you."

Kuroba-kun sighed melodramatically. "Another night of pointless chatter about a thief who is in many ways inferior to the amazing Kid-sama. I suppose I could be noble and suffer through it."

"No one asked you, Kuroba-kun," Saguru retorted with a grin. "Thank you, Kuroba-san, I would enjoy that."

"Tuesday evening, then, for dinner. Kaito's making yakisoba."

xxxxxxXXXxxxxxx

"Hello there, Ha~ku~chan!"

Saguru was instantly awake. "Kuroba-kun?"

The magician in question chuckled. "You fell asleep watching the commentary from the 1939 Hounds of Baskerville with Mom." There was a pause, and then an amused "I didn't even know we owned any Sherlock Holmes films."

Saguru stood and stretched his legs. "My apologies." He checked his pocket watch. "There are still trains running, so I'd better get going."

"And here I was hoping you'd have to sleep over." Kuroba mockingly batted his eyelashes.

"An entire night subject to the whims of the Kaitou Kid, while I'm sleeping? I think not."

"Aww, Haku-chan, I'm only kidding. And I'm not Kaitou Kid, anyway. I'll escort you home, 'cause otherwise my mom would kill me for letting you leave alone after dark."

"If you insist."

"Oh, I do. You don't want to know what Kuroba Chikage can do to those who don't follow her rules." Saguru chuckled at the idea of the sweet and humorous woman causing anyone trouble, but let the prankster accompany him home.

Before Saguru could get out his key, Baaya opened the door. "Hakuba Delwyn Saguru, please remember to check your phone now and then. If there had been an emergency, I wouldn't have been able to get ahold of you."

"Delwyn?" Kuroba-kun murmured as an incredulous aside.

"Not a word," he muttered back. Then, "Baaya, you know I'm good about it most days. I was just at Kuroba-kun's house for the evening and I fell asleep. Why did you need to call me?"

"Your father got a call that there was another heist notice delivered to Nakamori-keibu."

Saguru turned slowly to glare at his companion. "Is that so?" The trickster smiled innocently. Anyone who didn't know Kuroba would think that nothing but angelic thoughts passed through his mind. "While I was asleep, you said, Baaya?"

"About forty minutes ago, yes." Kuroba had the nerve to send a heist note while Saguru was at his house.

"Thank you for letting me know," Saguru responded, still scowling at his number one suspect for Kaitou Kid. "I'll make sure to get him this time."

Kuroba didn't look fazed at all. Facing Saguru's nanny, he bowed. "Baaya-san, I'm Hakuba's friend, Kuroba Kaito. Thank you for taking care of him. He's a very good friend and you've raised him well." Saguru couldn't detect any hint of sarcasm, but with Kuroba, who could ever tell what he was thinking?

Baaya smiled at the magician. "Thank you, Kuroba-kun."

"My mom and I will be borrowing him on Friday for game night, if that's all right with you." That infuriating, obviously fake I'm-such-a-responsible-young-man face made an appearance. Saguru wanted to smack him. "Jii-chan is coming over and we need a fourth for most of the games."

Saguru looked over disapprovingly. "I suppose you didn't think to ask me first?"

Kuroba constructed a disappointed frown, presumably for Baaya's sake. "Baaya-san, does Hakuba have plans on his calendar for this Friday?"

"No," she answered, and Kuroba dropped the faux unhappiness.

"Then it's a date. See you tomorrow in school, Hakuba-kun!" Before Saguru could refuse, Kuroba jogged down the front walk and out of earshot.

"He seems like such a nice boy," Baaya commented as she walked back to the living room, and Saguru slammed the front door a little harder than necessary.

xxxxxxXXXxxxxxx

Saguru walked out from the police station's records room on Friday to find his father talking amicably with Kuroba Kaito. He rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn't hallucinating. "Ah. Father?"

"Oh, hello, Saguru. Off to game night now, are you?"

"Yes…" It had only taken a night to cool off about Kuroba's apparent inability to ask for permission. Kuroba-kun and Kuroba-san would undoubtedly be exceptional opponents, and it followed that their other regular player would be good as well. Saguru was very much looking forward to this intellectual challenge.

"Your friend here introduced himself and has proved to be an excellent conversationalist. How long've you been here, Kuroba-kun?"

"Eh, about twenty minutes. I'm not in a rush though, since Jii-chan won't get off work for another half hour." Kuroba smiled at Saguru. "Coming? Mom says we've got dinner covered."

"Okay. Father, I'll probably be back late tonight."

Saguru's hypothesis about the game night proved to be true: the Kurobas and their family friend Jii were all outstanding strategists, though Kuroba-kun was clearly the craftiest. Two-on-two games were cutthroat when Saguru and Kuroba-kun were on opposite teams. When they were on the same team, however, the adults were hard-pressed to beat them.

Jii-chan and Kuroba-san left the table at the end of the night when the two teenagers decided to play a tiebreaker. Saguru glanced down at his hand, 6-7-8-9 of diamonds. "How good are you feeling about that hand, Kuroba-kun? What say we up the stakes?" They'd been playing for small candies with different point values.

Kuroba-kun raised his eyebrows and leaned forward, suggestive. "Oh, please, Haku-chan, tell me what sorts of punishment games you want me to play. Will there be handcuffs?"

Saguru had no response prepared for that. "I– wha– I was thinking of a box of pocky. Where does you mind go, Kuroba-kun?"

"Chocolate pocky?"

"Of course." It didn't take a genius to figure out Kuroba-kun's favorite food.

He settled back into his chair. "You're on." He didn't bring up his indecent comment again.

The round continued and Saguru gleefully laid down his hand during the show. Kuroba-kun's smile stretched like a cat whose mouse had charged straight at it. "Royal flush," he purred, laying down J-Q-K-A of clubs. "One box of pocky, Haku-chan."

The detective glowered. "When's your next game night?"

xxxxxxXXXxxxxxx

On Monday morning, Saguru laid the box on Kuroba's desk. "As promised."

The trickster's face brightened. "I thought you were going to wait until the next game."

"Are you protesting chocolate?" If he brought the pocky on Friday, Kuroba-kun would spend the whole night eating them and rubbing it in Saguru's face that he'd lost last time.

"Never!" Kuroba opened the box and twirled one of the sticks between his fingers before snapping off one end in his mouth.

"This week I'm going to bring over some board games I brought from England."

"Great! I can kick your tail at those too."

Saguru, having the advantage of knowing the tactics for those games, thought otherwise. "As long as there will be no literal tail kicking, I'm willing to take that chance. And no talk of risqué games."

"You take the fun out of everything. Speaking of games, though, there's a new game store that opened on the other side of town. I was thinking of checking it out after school today. Wanna come with?"

"Sure." Kuroba insisted on stopping off at a little ice cream parlor first, and to Saguru's surprise, ordered orange sherbet rather than some variety of chocolate. The detective had just started on his mint chocolate chip scoop in a cup when another spoon bumped his away. "Kuroba, eat your own damn ice cream. If you wanted chocolate, you should have gotten some."

"You can have some of mine," Kuroba offered offhandedly, unapologetic. "Hey, Hakuba, have you thought about the physics project yet?"

"I can tell you're changing the subject."

The magician grinned. "Humor me. Do you have a partner yet?"

"We're picking groups tomorrow. So, no." Saguru licked his spoon and went back for another dollop of ice cream.

"Be mine. With your nimble mind and my creativity, we'll end up with the best Rube-Goldberg machine in the school's history."

There was no doubt that Kuroba would go all-out on the project. His sense of competition and flair for presentation demanded it. "Do recall that all the pieces have to fit through the classroom door, Kuroba."

"Is that a yes?"

Saguru rolled his eyes. "Why not?"

xxxxxxXXXxxxxxx

Their first project meeting was held at the same ice cream parlor, at Kuroba's demand. However, after they spent three hours debating Western versus Eastern foods and declared a cooking competition to take place in the near future, Saguru decided that public places (especially places with food) weren't really conducive to actually getting work done. That was before Kuroba had eaten out of the detective's ice cream cup again (even though said detective had ordered a flavor without a speck of chocolate). Saguru had put his foot down: the ice cream shop was for leisure only.

The second meeting, held the next Monday in the evening, was significantly more successful. Kuroba seemed to like Baaya immensely, so it meant he kept his pranking to a minimum while she was in the house, and the tricks he did set off were on the less-messy end of the spectrum. Thank heavens for small favors.

"Kuroba. Stop bouncing, please. I'd like my bed to have some springs left at the end of the night." The magician fell back on the mattress and giggled loudly. "Is something funny?"

Cue the eyebrow wiggle. "What are you going to be doing on here that you need the springs for?"

"Kuroba."

"Fine, back on track. But springs are a good idea, actually. Why don't we add some to that spinny part with the balloon animals? It'll make the shoe drop faster." Saguru noted the idea on their outline and added "spare springs?" to the supplies-from-around-the-house list on his desk.

After several more suggestions were discussed at length and either added or vetoed, Saguru's eye caught the clock on his desk: 12:18am. He frowned – losing track of time wasn't something he did. Ever. Yet somehow the evening had flown by. So this was what other people felt like. "I'll be back in a few minutes, Kuroba. Don't break anything." Downstairs, he found all the lights out and a note from Baaya: Kuroba Chikage called at 11:03, I confirmed that Kaito was still here. Then, on another line: Don't work him too hard, dear – go to bed at a reasonable hour. Saguru gathered several snacks in a large bowl and made up chocolate milk for himself and Kuroba-kun. And then he got caught up for a while looking at the faxed copy of the heist note that Father had left for him on the counter.

"Kuroba," Saguru began, nudging his bedroom door open, "I think you're going to have to…" he trailed off. The magician was curled up on top of the covers, pens and highlighters still strewn about him. He was laying on half of their project proposal. "Stay here," Saguru finished. He cleared off the planning supplies from the bed and put them in order on the desk. "Are you really asleep?" He could just see Kuroba scaring the living daylights out of him with some new joke. The magician was very still, though; the only motion was his chest moving rhythmically in and out. Saguru had never seen him in any mode but fast-forward. Interesting.

As Saguru changed, he debated whether or not it was worth it to move the magician to a guest room. He looked at the clock. No, not worth it. After setting out tomorrow's uniform, Saguru maneuvered the covers down and rolled Kuroba over to the side of the bed against the window. He pulled the sheets over the both of them. "Good night, Kuroba."

xxxxxxXXXxxxxxx

From Meri: I picked Saguru's middle name, Delwyn, because the Internet told me that it means "pretty and white". Given that white is his color theme and that he is very pretty, I thought it fit. Saguru tells me that his mother picked it out so his name wouldn't be entirely Japanese.