Well, this took a lot longer than it should've. Not loosing my touch yet, it's just that the universe was desperate not to let me write today.

Aaanyways... Here's another chapter about... well. Things.

Please enjoy!


"How long?" Shinichi asked, still watching Kid in the mirror.

"I'd like to say I noticed quickly, but… that would be a lie." He smiled sheepishly at him, but he didn't move other than that. He just rested his hands on the table, far enough so that Shinichi wouldn't feel threatened, close enough to grab him if he decided to run. "I think I was distracted by how small you are." That earned him a dirty glare from Shinichi. "But it looks like Akako's potion worked. It revealed what you were hiding." He smiled even wider now, but it wasn't mocking.

"Akako's… the witch?"

"Yes. Koizumi Akako. We go to the same school."

"You have a witch in your school?" Shinichi asked incredulously. No wonder she looked so young then, she was around his age too.

"Yes, well… not your usual high schooler hobby, huh?" Kaito shrugged. "Not that I'm any better."

"You aren't." Shinichi agreed, and choose to watch himself in the mirror with a frown. It was so surreal, seeing himself like this. He tried not to wince at how narcissistic it sounded, but he missed seeing his own face. Being Conan had its merits, but it was more of a limitation, a hindrance usually. So now, as he raised a slightly trembling palm to touch his jaw, and watched his mirror image do the same, he was a bit overwhelmed. Kid didn't rush him, just went on with the conversation in a casual tone.

"It's ridiculous, really. A thief, the daughter of the inspector chasing said thief, a witch, and… Do you know Hakuba?"

"Oh my God, he's there too?" Shinichi looked back at Kaito with wide eyes.

"Yes, he is. As if I needed another person suspecting me, really…" Kaito sighed, but his gaze and smile had some fondness. And then, as if he's seen a ghost, he paled. "Your hand… it's bleeding."

"Huh? Oh yeah, as I was climbing." Shinichi said as he looked down on his palm and the bloody ribbon on it. He simply shrugged, it was no big deal after all.

"'Oh yeah' is all you can say?" Kaito asked before he burst out. "Are you out of your mind? Don't you realize how dangerous it is for you to bleed? Even one drop is too much, but you soaked that ribbon completely!"

"Look, I'm sorry about the ribbon, okay? I didn't want to-"

"You just don't get it, do you?" He buried his face in his hands for a moment, before he stormed out of the bathroom. Shinichi just stood there, dumbfounded. Well, this was weird. He expected things like being stomped on, being cut up, being hit until he was covered with bruises, but not this. He thought that this mother hen-like behaviour from Kaito would only last as long as he believed that Shinichi was Arthur. As long as he could play the role of his pet, Kaito would be entertained, would find some childlike happiness in looking after him, then it would slowly fade away or reach an abrupt end in case his identity was discovered. But here he was, fussing over Shinichi, getting worried, frustrated because he was bleeding. This wasn't normal. This wasn't like Kaitou Kid at all.

Speak of devil, Kaito returned with a clean ribbon and antiseptic. After he set those on the table, he grabbed Shinichi's hand – a little too hard, and Shinichi couldn't hide his wince, but he only received an absentminded apology for that. As he took off the bloody ribbon and saw the reopened cut on his hand, Kaito's eyes darkened, and he cursed.

And again, like many times before, Shinichi got that weird feeling, as his wound was cleaned and bandaged again, as he watched Kaito's own hands shaking, and warmth spread through his chest, even though his mind screamed with embarrassment. This was so domestic, it all looked so natural, like Shinichi was supposed to be this small and Kaito was supposed to look after him, like there was no other way their lives could've went on. Like this was fate.


"So, there's peach, apple, tomato, cheese and some chocolate on the plate. Be careful with peach, it can make a mess. I'll leave the TV on for you, but there's your pillow if you want to sleep. But! Don't sleep without a blanket, you'll get cold. And, for God's sake, please don't climb anywhere!" Kaito was getting ready to leave, though he still went on and on about his instructions. Shinichi already gave up on answering, and choose to just nod every once in a while, to show that he wasn't completely spacing out. He was pretty close to it though. "Hey, are you listening?" Kaito asked, and waved his hand on front of Shinichi's eyes. "Promise me you won't climb anywhere."

"Huh?"

"Please."

"O-okay. I promise."

"Good." Kaito smiled and ruffled Shinichi's hair, just like when he was still Arthur. "After I get back, we'll… try to come up with something, okay? Like, how to contact your family and how to explain this. Or at least tell a really good and believable lie." And then Kaito hugged Shinichi. This wouldn't have been strange, if he didn't know about his identity, but he made it pretty clear that he found out. So, why the hug? Why this kindness? Shinichi didn't get it. Even if Kid wasn't quite as horrible as he wanted to believe, this was too much, too nice for a rival that only used him and lied to him.

And still, as Kaito held him to his chest, hands gentle, like he was holding a bird with broken wings, there seemed to be no malice, no anger, not even the slightest hint of annoyance. Just kindness.

"I'll be back soon, okay?" he murmured, his breath ghosting over Shinichi's head, as he leaned down and pressed a light kiss on his forehead. "Be good. Bye." And without another word, he put him on the couch and left.

"I don't get you, Kaitou Kid." Shinichi mumbled, touching his forehead with trembling fingers. His face must've been red like Kid's roses.