-FIRSTS-

Disclaimer: The works of Detective Conan and Magic Kaito belongs to Gosho Aoyama-sensei.

Warning: KaiShin relationship.

A/N: Filler chapter. It was supposed to be part of a larger chapter but it became too big so I had to split it out. It follows directly from the last chapter.


First Mark

Shinichi had been quite content to stay in bed for the whole weekend. The two days were made easier as Kaito stayed at the Mansion with him. Though sometimes Kaito had been slightly overbearing, with the constant worry in his eyes. Numerous times, Shinichi told his magician that he was fine and it would have been better if he was allowed to move about instead of staying in bed, however, Kaito had threatened with zip ties if he had so much as moved away from the bed without Kaito at his side.

"No Shinichi." He said for the umpteenth time that Sunday afternoon. "I don't want you to strain yourself."

"Be reasonable Kaito." He took another bite of the sandwich. Unfortunately, there was no coffee with this meal, made by Kaito as per Haibara's instructions. "Exercise is crucial for good health. A walk around the block won't do any damage."

"Might I remind you that you said the same thing yesterday, about how going downstairs to watch tv would be no problem?"

Shinichi winced at the fresh memory. He is sporting a couple of bruises because he thought he was strong enough to walk down the stairs by himself. Kaito was out to buy groceries for dinner, and without the entertaining magician, he could not keep still. His books could not hold his interest and the room became too still. He decided to go watch tv, or at least pick up the day's paper. He was halfway down when his feet slipped, he gripped the railings but he wasn't yet strong enough to pull himself upright. Kaito then entered the house and found him in the awkward position, half struggling half standing.

"You nearly fell down the staircase! If I were a second late at coming through the door, you'd have a serious injury!" Kaito snatched the tray from Shinichi's lap now that the plate have been cleared of food. "I don't want to see you like that." Tears were beginning to well up at the rim of his eyes.

Shinichi stayed silent for his rant. It was the least he could do after everything that has happened.

"And you better make good on your promise. I don't want to come back after school tomorrow to see you crumpled on the floor or something." Kaito placed the tray out of the way before enveloping his detective in a crushing hug. "Please just get better."

"I'll call in tomorrow morning." He tried to give his magician an encouraging smile.

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Class was a chore on Monday morning. His mind was far in Beika, beside the bedside of his detective. He left early morning to catch to train back to Ekoda, just managed to catch a glimpse of the sleepy face before having to rush out the door (he took a picture and saved it on his mobile, he is slowly building up a collection, a collection he would not be sharing with anyone including Shinichi). He was reluctant but he had to come in today for the test.

"Kaito? Is something wrong?" Aoko asked during the morning break.

"Hmm?" He wasn't paying much attention for the class, busy thinking of how to make the best of the detective's forced time-off. He had told his teachers he'll be missing the rest of the week (and the happiness was extremely tangible after he left the staff room), he was planning on a hot spring vacation, taking up the offer from the family in Shirahama.

"Kaito..." Aoko was concerned. She had been unable to contact him since Friday after school. "Tell Aoko what's wrong."

"It's nothing." He realised he must have picked up Shinichi's habit of downplaying his thoughts and emotions instead of hiding behind his Poker Face. He glanced up at the girl, she didn't budge from her position. He had on choice at resigned at her insistence. "I'm just worried, that's all."

"About you secret boyfriend?" The lack of reaction from Kaito further caused concern. "He's not sick is he?"

Kaito sank into his seat, then flopped onto the table with a groan.

"Aoko thinks Kaito should go to him if you're so worried." Aoko tried to give him a hug, but Kaito was unresponsive. She tentatively touched him on the shoulders to get his attention. "Kaito? Explain to the teachers, they'll understand."

"No, I promised him to come for today's classes."

"But..."

"Aoko, if I suddenly return to his side after promising him I would stay until end of school day, I'd be going against my words and I'll likely be losing his trust. He'll think I couldn't trust him to take care of himself." That was the outward reason. But the truth was Shinichi would think the people had tracked them and the police wasn't able to do their jobs. 'Speaking of which, I should check my dove-cam to see if they had picked up anything.'

"Kaito, maybe you should give him a call. It's no good for you to be so anxious. And you're not concentrating. If you want to make the best of your time in school, you should at least try to get good marks for your test."

"You're right Aoko." He surprised the girl. Rarely did he agree to anything she says and follow her instruction without threats. "I'll give him a call to make sure he hasn't hurt himself."

Bounding out of the classroom, he wondered where he should go to make the private call. He settled on the roof, he could get some privacy there.

The phone was promptly picked up after three rings.

"Kaito, why are you calling? Is something wrong?" Alertness filtered through the speakers.

"Just want to make sure you're ok."

"Ba'ro, why wouldn't I be?" Kaito could just picture the warm smile with the fondness in his voice.

"Of course. But I want to hear your voice."

"Go back to class Kaito. Don't get a detention, then you can promptly come here."

"But Shinichi~ I miss you." He whined. It was true, he could not concentrate properly knowing his detective was house-bound. Although he could move about, but was easily tired.

"Kaito, go back to class. I'll see you later ok?"

"Will you reward me for good behaviour?"

"You shouldn't bargain with these things." There were hints of exasperation mixed with amusement in his tone. "If you behave, we'll see about it."

In a fit of childishness, Kaito let out a cheer before hanging up. Feeling much better, he bounded back down to the classroom, intent on doing a few minor pranks to soothe the frazzled nerves of his classmates.

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"Tadaima!" Kaito shouted from the foyer even though this was not his home.

"Okaeri." Shinichi ambled out from the kitchens and was immediately attacked by his magician into a bone crushing hug. Kaito then proceed to patting all over Shinichi to check for injuries. "Don't be over-dramatic. I'm fine."

Shinichi understood that Kaito was worried. He would be too if their positions were reversed. Seeing their important someone tortured in front of their eyes is no laughing matter.

"I took the rest of the week off." Kaito enveloped Shinichi back into a hug again. He buried his face and nose into his detective's neck to take in the scent.

"Kaito, you shouldn't miss school unnecessarily." Shinichi held Kaito close as he guided them towards the sitting room. "I said I'll be ok on my own, I promised you I won't over-stress myself. Can't you trust me?"

"I do," Kaito sat down, pulling Shinichi to sit on his lap. Shinichi let him, knowing that this was the magician's way of ensuring he still have some control over his life, that the KID incident was not beyond his control. "But I still want to take the time off so I can spend it with you."

"I'm not near my death bed or disappearing." He tried to comfort Kaito, pulling him close and wrapping his arms around his neck, letting the magician nuzzle where he felt like. Shinichi could sense the distress from Kaito. He sighed inwardly. "Although I can't promise something like this won't happen again, seeing as we both have our own share of organised crime syndicate on our tails, but take comfort in the fact that I'll always come back."

"Doesn't matter." Kaito muttered into the detective's shirt. "I'm still taking the week off. We're going to have a vacation."

"That was abrupt." Shinichi leaned backwards, then cupped his magician's face so he could look clearly into the amethyst orbs. "You're serious."

"I've made the preparations already. Went back home to pick up a day-bag. You just go pack then we can leave. I've even booked our fight."

"What brought this on?"

"I want to make sure you won't be bothered when you're healing. I'm pretty sure you've called your acronym friends and the Tokyo PD to check progress." Kaito saw how his detective was trying to avoid eye contact. "You'll be nervous the whole time until they've confirmed with you. Not only that, your stress lines are showing again." He lifted his hand to smooth out the creased eyebrows. Sapphire orbs closed momentarily on contact, there was a small smile lingering on the edge of Shinichi's lips.

It was irresistible.

Kaito brought his detective's face closer, hand supporting the back of the detective's head. Lips touched briefly, like a butterfly's landing, lingering for less than a second before Kaito migrated to the corner of Shinichi's lips. With the same softness and care, gracefully dancing over the area and towards the jaw before settling down near the junction at the neck and shoulders. It was not an aggressive attack, the touches were not needy, it was confirming a presence, ensuring himself that his detective is there in his grasp.

Shinichi did not gasp or let out a sound when Kaito moved onto a more sensitive spot on the neck. Did not dare to disrupt his thief's exploration. Now was not the situation to take initiative, it would be best to let his thief take lead. He held himself still, refrained from needing to pull them tightly together. Instead, he took Kaito's free hand and guided it towards his waist, hoping the thief would take the hint to hold him. Shinichi closed his eyes, savouring the fleeting touches of Kaito's lips against his skin.

"Maybe you should reconsider the fight arrangements." Shinichi whispered with as much softness as he could muster. The sound was barely audible, Kaito mainly felt the vibrations rather than registering the words. But he understood the meaning all the same. "If you want to continue, the sofa might not be the best place." Shinichi patted and smoothed the unruly locks on top of Kaito's head, relishing in the texture juxtaposed against the style.

"You should go pack then. I've arranged a car to pick us up to take us to the airport." Kaito reluctantly let go of his detective. He lifted Shinichi's hand closest to him and placed a light touch on its knuckles before letting the detective up. Once stood, Shinichi returned the gesture by placing a kiss on Kaito's forehead.

"I'll be back real quick. In the mean time, check the windows and back door. I don't want unwelcomed visitors for the duration we're gone."

Passing the mirror by the staircase, Shinichi noticed a distinguish red mark on the junction area. He touched it gently, fingers lingering a second longer than it should. He blushed at the apparent mark, no matter how he hides it, it will still show through the collar. Shaking his head, he left the mark alone, not minding the fact that his thief chose now to show his claim. He'll have to return this favour sometime soon, so that his thief would also have a brand of his own.

Kaito hummed random notes as he waltzed through the manor. It was satisfying to have Shinichi so compliant to his wishes. He was tempted to do a little dance along the way.

-TBC-