Chapter 10

From here to the end, it should be pretty exciting. Maybe? Hehe...this is where things start actually happening involving their relationship. And stuff. I'm excited just thinking about it!

You guys do remember their first meeting, right? Their "blind date", if you will. If you don't, then maybe you should go back to chapter 2 and skim through, yeah? There are a few references in this chapter to that, so yah. Nothing big though.

"You're distracted tonight, aren't you Shinichi-kun?" Kaito asked, giggling while sipping his cream soda. "Usually you're intently listening and talking to me. Are you still a little bit sick? You did look sort of red at first...Ah! Could it be that my soup wasn't as amazing as usual and so it didn't help as much as it should have?!" He hurriedly slapped his hand onto Shinichi's forehead, gauging the temperature.

"I'm fine!" Shinichi insisted, pushing Kaito's hand away. Watching the waiter make his way to their table, plate in hand, Shinichi said, "Should it be legal for you to have soda and chocolate cake? I mean, you're already bouncing in your seat..."

"No I'm not!" Kaito argued with a smirk, bouncing up and down.

Shinichi smiled fondly. "Okay, Kaito-kun. Whatever you say."

The familiar piece of triple chocolate cream fudge cake with double chocolate frosting and chocolate shavings on top was placed onto the table and Kaito instantly had a fork in his hand. While he dug into the sickeningly delicious cake, Shinichi thanked the waiter. Afterward, he watched Kaito's greedy consumption for a moment, then helped himself to some of it as well, remembering how amazing it tasted.

"Dis id so gud!" Kaito mumbled through his food, reveling in the masterpiece of cake.

Shinichi agreed with a silent nod, because he wasn't quite as unrefined as Kaito. When they had finished with their meal, they decided to retire to Shinichi's home, as they had on their first outing together. Shinichi, tense as can be, concentrated on breathing normally while Kaito walked ahead and babbled about something or another. He felt like hyperventilating at this point. I can't do this! he shouted at himself in his head. It's not going to go well...I'm not brave enough to handle this. Then he realized something and smacked himself in the face. Literally this time. If I'm brave enough to chase down and catch criminals, as well as solve cases on a daily basis, how can this be an issue for me?!

"Shinichi-kun?" Kaito asked, popping Shinichi out of his thoughts. "Did you just facepalm?"

"Oh..." Shinichi said, looking at his hand. "Uh...I guess I did. Heh..."

Kaito stared at him for a few moments, then laughed jovially. "Hahaha, you're so weird! And you don't even know it! That's what I love about you!"

Shinichi whipped his head to look up at him. Love? He felt—and why did this have to happen so often lately?—his face spreading with crimson. He covered his cheeks with his hands, squeezing his eyes shut. Stop it! Stop it, foolish self! Don't show him how flattered you are!

"Huh? What are you doing now? You look like a crushing schoolgirl."

Shinichi opened his eyes. Act normal! he ordered himself. He glanced at their surroundings, noticing that they were almost to Shinichi's home. Shinichi began to walk quicker, causing Kaito to struggle to keep up with his brisk pace. Once they finally made it to the Big House of Potential Rejection, Shinichi sighed nervously, glancing for the umpteenth time at Kaito. "Kaito-kun, go ahead and sit on the couch in the living room," he said after taking his shoes off. "I'll be there in just a minute."

Leaving a bewildered Kaito behind, Shinichi raced to the bathroom. Halfway to a panic attack, and with his stomach twisting into incredible knots, he splashed his face with some cold water. He willed his face to unredden. It was times like these that he almost wished he could wear make-up...okay, to be honest, he'd never thought that before. He took a deep breath and bravely marched his way back to his doom.

Kaito was sitting on the couch, his feet propped on the coffee table in front of him. When Shinichi came back, Kaito smiled and patted the spot next to him. Shinichi, nervous with every step, took the seat. It's no big deal, he tried to convince himself. The worst thing that could happen is that he'll reject me. We can still be friends, right? Right. Right! ...Right? He put on his determined face and faced Kaito.

"Kaito-kun, before you decide to watch whatever movie you happen to have chosen tonight, I want to talk about something." Kaito blinked expectantly, and Shinichi continued. "I'm a detective...but there are a few things I'm never able to figure out. Something's been on my mind lately, and as a detective I am ashamed to say that I don't know what the solution is. And I—hey, you look anxious. Are you okay?"

Kaito nodded, immediately adjusting his face to look normal. "Hey, it's nothing serious. I mean, it's not like I think you're a criminal or anything. Ha ha! I just have something to say...well, I'm trying to explain it, but as I said, I'm no good at this and I want you to understand as well as possible. Oh, whatever. I'm making us both more nervous so I'll say it before either of us explodes. To be plain and simple, I like you."

Kaito was silent.

Shinichi, feeling the need to fill in the awkwardness, began rambling again. "I-I mean, as in, I think I have a crush on you. I've never thought I was gay or anything—n-not that I'm homophobic!—but then there was you, and I felt...I feel...I don't know. I didn't notice for a long time, and then it just sort of hit me and I can't just keep it in. I mean, you deserve to know, don't you? Even if you don't feel the same way, and I don't expect you to, and even if you feel awkward which you clearly do, but I didn't think it'd be this bad, I mean you're not even saying anything. God, what have I done? I'm so—"

"Hey." Shinichi's babbles were finally brought to a close by the quiet interruption of Kaito. "Who said I didn't feel the same way?"

"You..." Shinichi paused. "Do you? You don't seem to. It seems to me that you're quiet, feeling awkward and maybe angry."

"Quiet..." Kaito mused. Having been avoiding Shinichi's eyes, he finally looked into them. "How could I talk normally when I feel as if I'm going to burst into tears?"

"T-tears...?" Shinichi asked. "Oh, Kaito-kun. I'm really sorry! I didn't know it would be so offensive or anything...I just wanted you to know."

"Offensive?" Kaito moved slightly, leaning in and pouncing on Shinichi. Squashing him into a tremendous hug, he said, "Are you kidding?! Shinichi-kun, I've been waiting for this for such a long time! I like you so much! You're hilarious and smart and cute! I never expected you to even think about liking me back!"

Shinichi quickly pushed Kaito back in surprise with his eyebrows raised incredulously. "You do?! Seriously?!" His face lit up like a child's on his birthday. Kaito nodded vehemently. Shinichi, having no clue how to do anything of this nature, grabbed Kaito and pulled him in for a kiss. It didn't last very long and it wasn't extremely passionate, but it was a marvelous, sweet kiss filled with emotion.

"Was that okay?" Shinichi breathed afterward.

"Okay?" Kaito repeated. "I'm so happy right now, anything would be okay! I loved that! I'm just ecstatic that you decided to have a crush on me."

"So, er..." Shinichi started awkwardly, still embracing Kaito on the couch. "Would we call this a relationship or no? Are you considered my boyfriend now?"

"Only if you want me."

"Definitely."

His confession sucked so much. So much. I'm a little shabby I think, as I haven't actually written in a while. Anyway, like I said, it was terrible. I'm sorry. I just hope you can imagine the feelings...you know? I try to express that :P

So all is well for the happy couple ;) For now!

Keep reading, see the drama, maybe even a happy ending? Review! Thankies!