Shinichi waved the Detective Boys off with a bright smile, closing the door and sitting back down in the living room, scooping his book back up. It was unlikely he'd get much reading done, but he could try.

He was a little disappointed that he wasn't joining the kids this year, but after all the hard work they'd put in decorating his house, the least he could do was actually be there to hand out candy.

The doorbell rang ominously, and he chuckled to himself. Striding to the door, he took the time to shift his expression to one more well-suited to the vampire he was dressed as.

Standing on his doorstep was a young man, probably his age, dressed as Kaitou Kid. Shinichi stifled a snort. The costume was well-made, tailored to fit right and everything. If he didn't know better, he'd suspect this guy might be the real deal.

"Trick or treat!" the man said. Shinichi held out his candy bowl for the guy to choose from.

"Nice costume," Shinichi said while the man chose, giving him another once over. "Looks like the real thing."

"Thanks," he laughed. "Have you seen Kid before, then?"

"You could say that," Shinichi snorted. "Anyway, I hope you have a nice night."

"You, too," the man said, although he looked… unhappy? Shinichi shook the thought off, watching him walk away thoughtfully. Before he could shut the door, a group of kids walked with some trepidation up the front walk. Shinichi smiled as dangerously as he knew how, falling back into character.

He didn't notice the man from before watching him for another moment before dashing off.


Shinichi wasn't positive, but he was pretty sure that the man in front of him—Godzilla, now—was the same man that had come before as Kaitou Kid. There was no evidence, of course; the man's voice and manner were completely different, but Shinichi just couldn't shake the feeling…


The next time, he—if it was the same man—was dressed as Robin Hood. The time after that, he was a werewolf. And after that, Tuxedo Mask. Although he may have also appeared as Sailor Moon, Kaitou St. Tail, and some kind of princess before that. It was hard to tell, because Shinichi had been pretty sure those people were girls, but…

He did know someone with the talent to make something like that possible, unlikely as it was.


As the kids were just getting back, rushing inside to start sorting through their candy and get ready for their movie marathon, Kaitou Kid came back up his front walk. Shinichi considered him for a long moment. Maybe it wasn't as unlikely as he thought.

"Any particular reason you've been coming to my house so often?" Shinichi asked, leaning against the doorframe. The man looked a little sheepish.

"Ah, well, it was the only way I could be sure to see you? I thought you'd go trick-or-treating, but you ended up staying in, so…"

"So you came to my house eight times—"

"Nine times," he interrupted. Shinichi shot him a look.

"—nine times, just to see me?"

"Yes? I mean, I hoped you'd recognize me the first time, but you didn't, so I figured I'd just… keep trying?"

Shinichi snorted, shaking his head. "Next time, just ask if you can come in, stupid thief." Shinichi stepped back inside, holding the door open. "Now, are you going to join us for Halloween movies and candy, or are you going to stand out there all night?"

Kid beamed widely, bounding up the steps and into the house. Shinichi rolled his eyes, but led the way to the family room where the kids were already arranged around the TV, piles of candy in front of them.

"Who's your friend, Kudou?" Haibara asked, looking both smug and bored.

"My name is Kuroba Kaito," Kid said, sweeping into a bow. "It's a pleasure to meet you all. I hope you don't mind if I join you for your movie marathon."

The kids all shook their heads, smiling at him warmly. Shinichi settled into the loveseat, shooting Haibara a glance. She smirked and started the first movie, refusing to relinquish the remote as he'd expected.

Kuroba sat beside him, an inch of space between them.

Once the kids were engrossed in the first of their movies, Shinichi leaned closer, "Are you sure about this? Giving up your identity like that?"

"I can't exactly go on a date with someone who doesn't know my name, can I? Besides, I trust you." Kuroba shifted a little, closing the inch.

"Kuroba—"

"Kaito," he interrupted.

"Kaito," Shinichi smiled, rolling his eyes. "Will you be sleeping over, too?"

"I'd love to, if you'll have me."

"Well, I suppose I'll have you," Shinichi allowed, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek, leaning into him and turning back to the movie, ignoring Haibara's insufferable expression. No need to give her the satisfaction of reacting.

When Kaito's arm draped over his shoulder, Shinichi couldn't help but smile, leaning into him happily. Once the kids fell asleep, he'd finally be able to kiss his phantom thief properly. He was looking forward to it.