A/N: A free afternoon seems almost too good to be true, which usually means it is, Kaito discovers as he encounters a murder case and some disturbing news at a Tivoli.

Title: Interfering at HQ

Word count: 1700

Rating: K+

Published: 17th of August


Kaito was happy. The past couple of weeks had been nice and normal. It didn't bother him in the least that his normal was not what most people would argue was the conventional normal. He had been forced to smooth the way to hanging out with Shinichi undisturbed on several occasions but at least it appeared that most of the groups he hung out with had gotten the message. In Kaito's opinion, it didn't hurt that some of the more persistent had been in the leeway of certain punishment. He suppressed an evil chuckle.

Today was going to be a great day as well. Classes had been cancelled and he had managed to drag Shinichi to the Tivoli (despite insistent protesting, thank you very much! "But, Kaito, bad things happen at Tivolis!"). So far they had ridden the Ghost Train, the Free Fall, the Looper, and where currently queuing for the Ferris Wheel. He would be lying if he said he wasn't giddy at the thought of spending half an hour in a small enclosed area with Shinichi while staring out over the beautiful landscape of Tokyo.

They didn't get that far, however, and Kaito had to wonder if it was possible that his good luck had started diminishing since he had taken it upon himself to counter Shinichi's bad kind. Or was it that the Gods had turned against him for being too greedy?

He cast a glance at Shinichi as the fierce yell pierced through the air. He had stiffened and turned to the sound, senses sharp and alert, already in detective mode. Locating and dashing to the crime scene, Kaito and Shinichi set to their usual tasks. Grabbing the duct-tape in his pocket Kaito fenced off the area from the public, restraining anyone trying to leave, all the while dialing police and ambulance. Shinichi was simultaneously dissecting the area, checking on the victim and scanning for suspicious behavior. Really, the pair made one hell of a combo.

As Kaito's work came to an end, he stepped to the side, content to watch his detective. It was a treat, seeing him work in his element. His eyes sharpened to a degree that made his azure eyes shine with inner determination. It took Kaito's breath away, and not for the first time he found himself wishing that he would sometime look at Kaito that way. It made a shiver run down his spine. A soundless sigh escaped his lips and he crossed his arms and continued looking.

The victim was still alive and the detective put all his efforts to stopping the bleeding and talking to her as she was on the verge to losing consciousness. Many minutes ticked by in extreme tension as they awaited the arrival of the rescue team. Kaito forced himself to focus on his surroundings, determining the people acquainted to the woman lying on the ground with a viscous stab wound in her stomach.

By the time the police arrived Shinichi had sent the victim to the hospital in an ambulance with her life strings intact by mere determination on the detective's side. Megure-keibu trotted over to where Shinichi waited with bloody hands and a tired but content expression.

"Kudou-kun!" the police inspector cried out in delight. "It appears your bad luck is turning around what with more and more victims surviving your presence!"

Kaito chuckled humorlessly as Shinichi flinched. It really wasn't fair game calling Shinichi on his high mortality numbers.

As his detective went on to explain the details of the attempted murder, Kaito let his attention side-track. The officers that came in Megure-keibu's tow where busy either collecting the pieces of evidence Shinichi pointed out, or standing to the side discussing what they saw.

Or so Kaito thought, but as he listened in on their conversation he was forced to make a re-evaluation of his earlier assessment concerning his clueless friend. The two officers closest to him, to whom he was listening, were female and rather young, probably new recruitments to the force, then, Kaito decided.

"But I mean come on, he's like, what, twenty? Twenty-one? You can't tell me you haven't thought about it?" one said eagerly while checking out Shinichi's ass as he squatted to point to a spot with irregular blood pattern.

"But Miki, even if that's true, he's not even of age yet, not to mention I've heard he's been working with the police since he turned thirteen! Everybody knows him and Megure-keibu acts almost like he's his own son. Can you imagine the scrutiny you would have to go through if you ever got involved with him?"

"You worry too much, we're on the force now, where would you find more honorable fellas, I wonder, hm? And what does a year here or there matter, in ten if won't even matter", Miki exclaimed reassuringly.

"What makes you think he would even be interested-?" her face flushed as Miki cast a fierce glare at her friend. "Don't look at me like that, I just mean he's really popular, you know? Almost every woman in our department has their eyes on him, if not seriously then at least as some kind of eye candy. I can't help but feel kind of sorry for him. He must have realized…"

Kaito stopped listening. Everybody in homicide? He couldn't believe his own foolishness, he had completely disregarded his workplace. It was so easy to do, too, seeing as Kaito was rarely there and they were officers of the law, for crying out loud! You would think they had some sense of moral. Not to mention, most of them where at least ten years older than him. And it was a male-dominated career choice, didn't they have other men to look at?!

He couldn't help but snort at the other woman's pity, if only she knew how dense his friend was. He could guarantee Shinichi didn't have the slightest clue to the many females (and a couple of males) that held him in affection in his surroundings.

Back to the seriousness of the matter, though, and Kaito was at a loss for how to solve this one. He could hardly threaten the police; they would be more inclined to arrest him than heed his warning. He couldn't very well protect Shinichi for his own good behind bars, especially if he was arrested as Kuroba Kaito. KID then? But no, that would be too weird. He had decided to let his secret persona remain uninvolved in his personal business with Shinichi.

Before his musings could go much further he was interrupted in his thoughts by two pair of very blue eyes peering up at him. Stumbling backwards from the very close (too close!) standing detective, he gave out a yelp. Shinichi straightened and looked at him with an unreadable expression before shrugging and saying:

"The case is closed, all that's remaining is paperwork and I convinced them to let me hand it in next week, so we're free to go."

He cast a glance over the crime scene and it appeared that the case had indeed been wrapped up. Forensics were packing their bags, the officers had gathered around Megure-keibu for a briefing and the people gathering had slowly started dissolving.

It took a moment for the words to register in Kaito's mind as Shinichi was still looking at him with those big eyes, but as it dawned on him that they would not be going to headquarters today, he was swamped with dubious feelings. Had they gone there now he could have assessed the situation, always an advantage when planning interference and it would be difficult to show up later, it was something he had never done before and Shinichi might become suspicious. But on the other hand, he didn't want their afternoon to go to waste and was kind of happy Shinichi had arranged for them to get out earlier.

"Well?" Shinichi asked with a hint of amusement in his voice.

Kaito looked up and realized they hadn't moved and Shinichi must be waiting for his reaction. "How considerate of you", he said and winked.

As they left, he caught the eye of Miki, made sure he had her attention and then very deliberately glomped his detective. In the midst of nuzzling his hair and pressing as close as physically possible, he almost lost track of what his aim had been as he got lost in the wonderful feeling of Shinichi.

"Kaito", a very frustrated voice said somewhere in his shoulder.

"Hn?" said Kaito and drew in an intoxicating breath of viola shampoo and muskiness that reminded Kaito of forests and camping.

"May I inquire as to what you are doing?" Shinichi said with enforced patience.

"Making a point", answered Kaito and smirked at the double meaning.

Silence ensued as they left the scene. Kaito caught a glimpse of Miki who glared indignantly at him, and Kaito answered by stretching out his tongue in a childish manner, happy Shinichi couldn't see him.

As Shinichi continued to say nothing however, he began wondering what he could have taken from that answer, or if he simply had his thoughts elsewhere. To find out he carefully detangled from his (cozy) position in Shinichi's arms to get a read on his expression. A thoughtful look had crossed his face but as he caught Kaito staring at him he shook his head and smiled.

"So, whereto next?"

Kaito continued to stare for a moment longer, and their eyes had an interesting conversation where many thoughts where hidden behind innocent facades. Another second passed, and Kaito also smiled.

"To the Ferris Wheel!" he exclaimed and pointed Shinichi in the direction of the big wheel turning slowly on its axis.

A couple of paces later Shinichi unceremoniously dropped Kaito and continued walking.

"Hey!" Kaito exclaimed a waved a fist at him in a ridiculous manner.

"You're big enough to walk on your own", Shinichi threw over his shoulder.

"Yeah, well, it was nice being carried too", he whispered, pouting. Just as he considered evil ways at revenge, Shinichi spoke again.

"Hurry up, Kai, we don't want to miss the sun set from the top!"

Kaito's head snapped up and he grinned at Shinichi's still turned back. He swung up and smoke-bombed himself right next to Shinichi, and they started their way over to the queuing again.

Well, he thought happily, maybe everyone didn't know of Shinichi's touching taboo, but at least no one else had this with him. And maybe, he thought as he leaned on Shinichi, tightly hugging his arm, it was okay.


Little fluff, less humour, but overall, what do you think? :)