Disclaimer: I do not own Detective Conan/Case Closed.
Pairing: KaitoxShinichi
Rating: M
Genre: Romance/Humor
Summary: Kaito is invited to the fancy birthday party of a young lady with a more than passing interest that she's not afraid to show. Shinichi refuses to admit that he's jealous. Kaito would be amused if he didn't have problems of his own. Luckily, he also has solutions.
Note: This series uses my version of the ABO setup.
Chronology: This series has too many installments now to list. This one is set just before "The Trouble with Love".
More Than Instinct
[Nature of Love series]
"Hey Shin-chan, are you free this Saturday?"
Shinichi, who had just walked out of a major history exam and had been planning to meet his aspiring beau for lunch found himself wondering why Kaito was asking this question of him now over the phone instead of in person in just a few minutes. It could be Kaito being Kaito, but it could also bode ill or at least be foreshadowing schemes.
His friend Sonoko's voice barged into his head at that point though and in no uncertain terms informed him that he was being asked out on a date.
Having no valid arguments against this supposition, Shinichi thought over his schedule and found it surprisingly uncluttered.
"I do," he said, and the honest surprise in the statement made Kaito chuckle from the other end of the line.
"Good. Then don't make any. If a case comes up, please ask Tantei-han or the twit to deal with it."
Now Shinichi frowned because this was starting to sound more serious than just Kaito inviting him to a day out.
"I'll tell you more about it when I see you. I'll pick you up in front of the student store in twenty minutes."
-0-
"I've been invited to perform at Ushimizu Emiko's birthday party," Kaito explained over lunch later that day. "It's being held this weekend at the Ushimizu family's vacation home in Okinawa. Anyone who isn't local to the area is also being invited to overnight at the place. That includes me. I asked if I could bring a guest, and the lady's parents agreed."
"So you want me to go with you for this party?" Shinichi double checked.
"Yep. How about it?"
"Well, I mean, I don't mind, but why did you make it sound so…" Shinichi cast around for the proper word before settling on, "serious? I thought you were going to tell me someone was in trouble. You're usually more enthusiastic about parties."
The comment earned him a wry smile from his partner. "Observant as always I see. Well, my dear, I strongly suspect that the Lady Emiko has ulterior motives for her invitation."
Shinichi tensed. "Does she have some kind of grudge against you?"
Kaito blinked, apparently taken aback, then he burst out laughing.
Confused, Shinichi frowned at him. "What?"
To his annoyance, Kaito only laughed harder. The alpha laughed so hard, in fact, that tears actually leaked out of the corners of his eyes. By the time he got his mirth under control, Shinichi was giving him a distinctly grumpy glower.
Kaito returned his glower with a fond grin. "I should have expected that."
"You can feel free to stop being cryptic any time now," Shinichi said dryly.
"I didn't mean ulterior motives as in she's planning a crime," the thief explained. "I meant that I am fairly certain that she has a crush on me and is planning to confess."
He watched the array of emotions that crossed Shinichi's face with amusement. There was surprise, understanding, embarrassment, then confusion and curiosity.
"I know you deal with fans confessing to you all the time," Shinichi said slowly (it was something he'd always been aware of but carefully not paid too much attention to because he trusted Kaito and, beyond that, didn't feel the need or desire to know more). "Is something different this time?" Then a thought struck. "Do you have some kind of history with this girl?"
Kaito looked startled. "What? Oh, no, no, nothing like that." He laughed. "I was just thinking that having you along should save us all some time and trouble. There's no point embarrassing the lady unduly on her birthday."
It was a simple plan. Kaito and Shinichi might not be officially bonded yet, but if an alpha like Kaito brought an omega like Shinichi as his plus one to an overnight party, most normal people would stop to wonder for at least a moment whether they were in a relationship. At that point, most interested parties would pause and observe and question before determining whether there was any point to further pursuit.
The problem was that the Lady Emiko turned out to be one of that unfortunate breed of person who specialized in noticing only the things they wanted to notice.
Though Lady Emiko welcomed them both when they arrived just as a good hostess should, her attention was focused entirely on Kaito throughout the introductions. Shinichi strongly suspected that, should someone ask her after said introductions, she wouldn't have known the detective's name. She never once even looked Shinichi's way. She certainly didn't notice that he was an omega even though he had, as per Kaito's request, not worn a scent masker (although, to be fair, since he wasn't in or nearing heat, his scent was not particularly strong, and she would have had to be actively trying to identify his to make anything out—which she apparently did not even consider might be necessary).
Shinichi, on the other hand, noticed right away that the Lady Emiko wasn't wearing a scent masker either. And, unlike him, her scent indicated that she was, in fact, on the verge of her heat cycle.
Combine that with the way she immediately latched onto Kaito's arm and it wasn't just an open invitation. It was an invitation written in big, bold capital letters and outlined in neon lights.
"Let me give you the grand tour," she said, batting her eyelashes at the magician. "We only recently had the place remodeled. It's spectacular, and there are all sorts of amazing facilities."
"Actually, it would be helpful if I could see the space I'll be using for the show," Kaito replied, subtly extracting his arm from the overly eager young woman's grip under the guise of matching gestures to his words. "A better understanding of what I have to work with will help me make sure that the performance is the best that it can be."
"Oh of course," Lady Emiko agreed readily. "We were thinking about using the ballroom. The wall opens out onto the back patio and garden, so there'll be lots of space for everyone. It's right this way."
The ballroom and the adjoining patio and garden were indeed spacious and already set up for the party complete with banquet tables, balloons and streamers. The stage in the ballroom had clearly also already been set up to accommodate a live band.
Several other guests who had arrived early were currently out on the patio, enjoying some simple refreshments and chatting. Some of them noticed the new arrivals and gravitated over to say hello and then, upon recognizing both young men, to ask for autographs. This, unfortunately, led to them getting separated in the hubbub, and Kaito was torn between being annoyed at the number of people crowding around his detective and relieved that the presence of all these other guests meant that Lady Emiko was momentarily forced to attend to them in her role of hostess.
Kaito signed another autograph and answered someone else's question about his next show while trying simultaneously to track the people jostling to talk to Shinichi. At least two of them were alphas, and okay, they also appeared to be normal fans and not actually trying anything of an amorous nature, but it still made the magician's hackles rise. He wanted to march over there and stake his claim, but he squashed the impulse because he knew that his detective wouldn't appreciate it, especially considering that, again, there was no evidence as yet that there was any need for it.
Once everyone had had their chance to greet the famous guests, however, Lady Emiko insisted on going through with her offer of a grand tour. On the bright side, some of the other guests were also interested, so they ended up going in a small party with Lady Emiko and Kaito in the lead and Shinichi trailing at the back of the group (not because he was interested in the tour but because he couldn't stop himself from wanting to watch his partner and their host).
Lady Emiko was attaching herself to Kaito's arm every time she could conceivably do so without the gesture seeming unnatural. The result was that Kaito was gesticulating a lot more than he normally would while talking because it gave him a inconspicuous way to extract himself. Rinse and repeat.
If Shinichi wasn't feeling more than a little unsettled, he'd be inclined to roll his eyes and call it karma. Kaito had always been a shameless flirt, especially while being the Kaitou KID. So his current dilemma could totally be some form of karmic retribution.
But the way Lady Emiko was basically pressed up against Kaito's side for half the tour was making Shinichi extremely uncomfortable, and he was not amused at all.
The part of him that Shinichi was trying to ignore wished that Kaito would just shake the girl off, but he knew that Kaito wouldn't. The magician thief had always had a soft spot for pretty girls—a fact Shinichi had known very well even back when he had only known Kaito as the Kaitou KID. That, and Kaito wasn't cruel enough to embarrass the girl like that in front of her guests at her own birthday party (and to be honest, Shinichi would have thought less of him if he were that sort of person).
Shinichi didn't like these feelings. They were making him uncomfortable, and it wasn't just because they weren't pleasant feelings. He more than anyone had seen the trouble and poor decisions that could arise from jealousy and its ilk. And he really wished that he wasn't susceptible to said unreasonable feelings.
They were made all the more pointless because he knew he didn't actually have anything to be upset about. He knew that Kaito loved him (the ability to know this was, in fact, one of the few things about being an omega that Shinichi appreciated). The lady was fighting a futile battle, and part of him felt bad for her.
It wasn't like the girl knew that Kaito already had someone. His and Shinichi's relationship was still very much a private thing they had shared only with their friends and family. So strictly speaking, she was simply doing one of the things omegas did when searching for a mate. In other words, she wasn't doing anything wrong even if Shinichi considered this particular tactic to be kind of stupid. It was too risky and offered very little possibility of anything more than a one night stand.
Did she really think this was the best approach? It kind of seemed like the choice of someone who thought that their only attractive qualities were their physical assets. Or maybe he was just over thinking things again.
Fortunately, things improved when the party officially started.
Lady Emiko gave a speech, welcoming her guests and thanking them all for coming. She also reminded everyone not to forget to pick up a goodie bag before they retired for the evening to get a surprise sneak peek at one of her family's newest cosmetic products.
Then she introduced Kaito, and the festivities really kicked off.
Kaito's magic was as spectacular as ever. Combine that with his natural charisma and he really was the optimal choice for an MC. He managed to keep everyone smiling and in good spirits without overshadowing the actual birthday star, Lady Emiko.
Probably the only person not enjoying themselves was Shinichi.
This was not a comment on Kaito's magic. Those bits, Shinichi enjoyed (Kaito's tricks were always fun to puzzle out. Every time he demonstrated one of his new ideas, Shinichi was reminded of just how brilliant the magician was. Although he had to admit that he hadn't managed to work out a single one of the new tricks today. He just couldn't concentrate). The problem was Lady Emiko, who, quite naturally, got to act as Kaito's assistant for a large majority of his acts.
Shinichi tried to distract himself by eating, but he didn't have much of an appetite. He ended up nibbling at a small selection of banquet delicacies anyway though because it gave him something to do and an excuse not to socialize.
-0-
The mixture of magic show and party encompassed the main meal, the advent and cutting of the glorious birthday cake, and the giving and opening of gifts. Understandably, this took quite some time, and the focus of the activity moved gradually from the indoor ballroom area out into the garden. People ate, applauded, talked, laughed and all around had fun. Then the musicians took the stage
With the music and dancing in full swing, Kaito got his first long break for the evening. He looked around for Shinichi, but Lady Emiko accosted him before he could locate his beloved.
"You were wonderful!" she gushed. "Thank you so much. Here, let me get you something to drink. You must be parched after all that talking."
She waved down a passing server. "Harata, could you please get us two glasses of champagne?"
"Actually, I would prefer a bottle of water," Kaito interjected before the man could leave. He didn't want to contribute to the girl's romantic fantasy by sharing champagne with her in the garden.
It was a point in the girl's favor though that she knew the server by name. Self-deluded or not, she wasn't technically a bad sort—just not his type.
The server nodded. "I'll be right back."
Of course, that meant Kaito had to wait with the lady for the server to return with their drinks. They ended up sitting on one of the garden benches. Kaito noted to his chagrin that, whether by accident or design, their part of the garden was now mostly deserted, leaving them surrounded by the warm, evening air, the sweet scent of flowers, and the equally sweet scent that unfortunately belonged to Lady Emiko.
It was at times like these, Kaito thought a bit ruefully, that he understood exactly where Shinichi was coming from when the detective insisted that betas had the best deal.
He had no interest whatsoever in the Lady Emiko, but his alpha instincts were nonetheless responding to her scent—that of an omega about to go into heat (one who was clearly eager for him to approach her, no less). It was disconcerting and not altogether pleasant.
He conjured an image of Shinichi in his mind. Thoughts of his detective's smile and big blue eyes helped him focus—which was good because Emiko chose that moment to sidle a little closer and attach herself to his arm again.
"You know," she said softly. "This is the best birthday I've ever had. And it's all thanks to you. I'm really, really grateful."
"You're very welcome," he replied.
"I'm going to remember this day for the rest of my life," the girl declared.
"I am truly flattered," Kaito said carefully. "As a magician, I have always made it a goal to create memories that my audience can enjoy for a lifetime."
"You do, you do," the lady assured him, eyes all but sparkling up at him. "I've been to several of your shows, and I know I'll never forget any of them. They were all amazing! Today was the best of all though because…" Her voice grew soft, almost shy. "Because I finally got to meet you in person. I feel like my whole life was leading up to this point. Don't you?"
Okay, Kaito thought, it was definitely time to get out of here.
Fortunately, Harata the server chose that moment to return with their drinks. He handed the lady a glass of champagne and gave Kaito an unopened bottle of water still chilled from a refrigerator somewhere.
Kaito thanked the man and turned to the lady. "We should return to the party. I'm sure there are still a lot of people who want to give you their well wishes."
"Oh." The lady looked downcast. "Couldn't we stay just a little longer? It's so beautiful out here, and I was hoping we could spend a little more time together."
"We could circle the garden," he suggested, picking a compromise that would at least get them out of this unpopulated corner and back where there were plenty of other party guests.
The lady beamed. "That would be lovely. Then perhaps we could dance?"
-0-
Shinichi had seen Kaito and Lady Emiko sharing a bench out in the garden. She'd been attached to Kaito's arm again, and, once again, the slightly wooden edge to the magician's smile would have been funny if Shinichi hadn't been feeling jealous (okay fine, he admitted it. But it was still irrational and unproductive, and he wasn't going to let it affect him. So there).
With that in mind, Shinichi loitered about by the banquet tables a bit longer and turned down several invitations to dance.
Bored and anxious, Shinichi eventually excused himself and retreated to the room he had been given for the night.
It was a very spacious and well decorated room with a king-sized bed that was so ornately dressed that it looked like an art installation. It had at least ten different pillows of various sizes ranging from very large to tiny and frilled. They also matched the curtains in pattern, Shinichi noted when he swept said curtains aside so that he could see the late evening sky.
Once in his room, however, he found he couldn't stop wondering what Kaito and Lady Emiko were doing. Were they still talking? What were they talking about? Were they still in the garden or had they gone somewhere else?
It was only when he realized that he had been pacing around and around his room for the last hour that Shinichi decided that enough was enough. He was going to do his utmost best to get some sleep. The sooner morning came, the sooner they could head home, and the sooner he could put this entire experience behind him.
Decision made, he marched into the bathroom with his pajamas and toothbrush kit.
Later, dressed in fresh pajamas, Shinichi emerged from the bathroom only to freeze at the sight of a shadow climbing in through his window. Then he recognized said shadow and relaxed even as he gave said shadow a pointed look.
"…Did you just climb in through my window?"
"I didn't have a choice," Kaito defended himself. "I didn't want to be seen, and I didn't want to risk Lady Emiko sneaking into my room at night."
Shinichi frowned, both at the idea of said event and at the suggestion that it might be a concern. "Didn't you tell her that you weren't interested?"
Now Kaito looked offended. "Of course I did. What kind of person do you take me for?"
Shinichi blushed. "I didn't mean it like that. I was just wondering why you thought she might try to sneak into your room."
"She's a very determined young omega with delusions of a grand romance and a crush the size of the moon," Kaito replied dryly. "I believe she's already written a story in her head where she's the beautiful princess who's going to be whisked away from the mate her parents ordained for her by her true love, which, she has decided, is yours truly—the talented but common born magician."
Shinichi cringed. "That…sounds like something Sonoko would have come up with back in high school."
"I would say Lady Emiko does seem to be cut from the same cloth as Suzuki-chan, albeit with a great deal less sense and a great deal more stubbornness."
"That's a really terrifying combination."
"Which is why I'm here," Kaito agreed. "Lady Emiko has convinced herself that I am madly in love with her but too shy to admit it. I shudder to think what she might take it into her head to do to remedy the situation."
"…She doesn't know you at all, does she?"
Kaito's expression grew grim. "I don't think she really wants to. It's not me she wants. It's her imaginary prince. She just hasn't realized it."
The detective mulled this over then shook his head. "That's kind of sad."
"Pitiable, perhaps, but it's the kind of thinking that can cause a lot of problems for a lot of innocent people." He accompanied the comment with a pointed look at Shinichi then himself.
Shinichi winced. "You have a point."
Sighing, Kaito reached out and pulled Shinichi into his arms.
"I'd rather not think about her anymore," he declared. "I'd rather think about you."
He buried his nose in the hair on the top of Shinichi's head and let the omega's familiar and welcome scent wash over him. The subconscious part of him that had been keeping his instincts under control finally relaxed. It wasn't needed anymore. Not while he had Shinichi here with him.
This was right. This was where he—no, they—were supposed to be.
The physical reaction he'd had to Lady Emiko's scent was a pale shadow compared to how Shinichi made him feel without even trying. This feeling, this warmth and contentment and simmering desire, was so much more than mere instinct.
"I love you," he murmured, and he knew that truer words had never been spoken.
Shinichi felt his cheeks growing warm at the words. Kaito had said them to him before, but something about the way he had just pronounced those three little words struck something indescribable deep within Shinichi's soul.
Needing to answer that heartfelt declaration, Shinichi wrapped his arms around Kaito's neck and leaned up to kiss him. "I love you too."
Kaito immediately kissed back with a sudden intensity that stole Shinichi's breath away and made his knees go weak. This wasn't a problem, however, as the arms around Shinichi's waist was keeping him firmly pinned against his alpha's hard, muscular body. A shiver of pleasure raced up his spine, and he moaned softly into the kiss.
Encouraged by the response, one of Kaito's hands slid up under the back of Shinichi's pajama top to press against the small of his back while the thief's other hand moved down, pushing Shinichi's pajama pants and underwear right off his hips. The soft, loose clothing slithered to the floor to puddle about their feet. Pleased, both of Kaito's hands immediately migrated to fondle Shinichi's now very exposed behind.
Shinichi squeaked and clung to Kaito more tightly, cheeks burning.
Smirking, Kaito kissed him again then nudged him towards the room's massive bed.
Somewhere en route to said bed, the rest of their clothes ended up littered across the floor.
Then they were close enough that Kaito decided to simply grab Shinichi around the waist and toss him onto the bed.
The detective let out a yelp of surprise which was cut off when he landed with a soft whump. He might have complained, but Kaito had already crawled on top of him.
The magician's hands traveled up and down the length of Shinichi's body, finding and exploring every dip and curve, worshiping every spot that made his beloved twitch or gasp. His teeth found Shinichi's nipples, and he ran his tongue around the pert little nubs before nipping at it with his teeth then sucking on it, teasing one moment then rough the next, and Shinichi squirmed beneath him, gasping as he learned just how sensitive his nipples could be and just how devilishly skillful his alpha was at taking advantage of that fact.
Then Kaito shifted downward, and Shinichi eagerly spread his legs. The gesture brought a pleased smirk to Kaito's lips as he traced Shinichi's belly button with the tip of his tongue. His hands wandered down to fondle Shinichi's thighs and buttocks, delighting in the warm, satin softness of the detective's skin.
Kaito took his time leaving a hickey on Shinichi's hip before migrating lower still.
Using his hands to keep Shinichi's legs spread wide, he set about diligently marking Shinichi's inner thighs while the omega gasped and squirmed against his hold.
Pleased, Kaito ran his tongue teasingly up Shinichi's length before taking the detective into his mouth.
Shinichi made a half strangled noise as he clamped a hand over his own mouth. His alpha had a very talented mouth. Shinichi whimpered. He was growing more aroused by the second, but something was missing.
Teeth scraped gently at sensitive skin, and Shinichi squeaked. He felt more than heard Kaito laugh, which made him blush even as it sent a shudder up his spine.
Grinning like the cat who'd gotten the canary, Kaito sat up and admired his handiwork. Shinichi lay spread out beneath him, flushed and panting, pale skin peppered with hickeys and very much aroused.
The sight made Kaito's own erection throb with want. Anticipation and excitement curled like fire through his veins.
Grasping Shinichi's hands, he brought them up to his lips, brushing feather light kisses across his knuckles. Then he leaned over to catch the omega's lips in a deep, lingering kiss.
Shinichi moaned softly. He felt hot and pliant and needy all at once. Desire thrummed beneath his skin, making his entire body tingle as though with electricity that crackled and sparked in response to his alpha's touch. At that moment, Kaito was the center of his universe—the missing pieces he craved deep inside his very soul.
And he could sense that intense desire echoed back to him from his thief as Kaito captured his lips once again, tongue plunging past Shinichi's lips to plunder the cavern beyond. The kiss left Shinichi breathless and his head spinning with want.
"Kaito," he gasped.
"Hush, I know," Kaito murmured against his lips as he moved to rub two fingers against Shinichi's entrance. Finding that perfect little hole already dripping wet, he pushed one finger then another inside.
Shinichi squeezed his eyes shut as he did his best to strangle a whimper. His inner muscles clenched and stuttered around Kaito's fingers. The magician responded by inserting a third finger and pushing them in deeper, twisting and scissoring, working to prepare Shinichi for his alpha's cock. The thought sent a fresh wave of arousal pulsing through Shinichi's body, and he clenched reflexively around Kaito's fingers.
It was Kaito's turn to swallow a moan as he felt the way his detective's inner muscles flexed around his fingers. With it came a gush of slick.
Realizing that neither of them could wait any longer, Kaito withdrew his fingers.
"Now remember," he warned as he shifted to press the tip of his erect member against the omega detective's entrance. "You're going to have to be quiet."
Shinichi nodded, eyes glimmering like pools of liquid sapphire in the moonlight spilling in through the windows. His detective really did have the most beautiful eyes, Kaito thought, heart swelling with warmth and fondness.
Drawn like a moth to a flame, Kaito leaned down and kissed Shinichi again as he finally breeched the ring of muscle guarding the omega detective's entrance.
It was only because Kaito's mouth was still covering his own that Shinichi managed to muffle his moan of pleasure as Kaito filled him in one long, slow thrust. The strain in his bottom as his inner muscles stretched to accommodate his alpha's hot, hard length made Shinichi's toes curl. His blunt fingernails dug into Kaito's shoulder blades as his hips twitched, but the magician's iron grip held him still as Kaito's large cock pushed deeper and deeper into him, not stopping until the entirety of the alpha magician's length was sheathed inside him.
Kaito stilled, taking a moment to simply savor the pleasure of being buried hilt deep in his omega's tight heat. He had been craving this all evening. His Shin-chan was the only mate he wanted or needed. When they were together, he felt complete.
A grin tugged at the corners of his lips when Shinichi began to squirm under him.
"Kai," the detective managed to say between panting breaths.
"Yes, Love?"
"Move."
The grin stretched into a full on smirk. "As you wish." Still using his grip on Shinichi's hips to hold the omega in place, Kaito slowly pulled out of Shinichi then thrust just as slowly back in. Then he stopped, indigo eyes gleaming with wicked mischief when Shinichi whined.
Kaito leaned down to purr into his ear. "Like that?"
"Y—yes," Shinichi gasped. "Again."
Kaito obliged, and Shinichi mewled, inner muscles spasming.
Another thrust, and Shinichi made a noise that was half moan of pleasure, half frustrated whine.
"M—more," he demanded, nails scraping down Kaito's back. "Harder."
Indigo eyes flashed with an almost feral light.
Kaito's next thrust had Shinichi's back arching as the detective threw his head back with a hastily stifled cry of pleasure. Kaito paused just long enough to hand Shinichi one of the small, decorative pillows to scream into. Then he set a quick, hard rhythm that forced Shinichi to immediately put said pillow to use.
Kaito relished the way Shinichi tightened around him each time he thrust into the detective's eager body. He felt like a starving man who had just tasted the most delicious food in the world.
He wanted more. He wanted to make Shinichi writhe in helpless ecstasy. He wanted to make Shinichi scream his name and beg for more. He wanted to see the way Shinichi simply came undone as Kaito pumped his essence into him, filling him.
Unfortunately, he couldn't have all of it just now. Still, two out of three wasn't bad.
Shinichi muffled another breathless cry into his pillow as Kaito drove hard into him again, sending a jolt of intense pleasure crackling along his every nerve. His head spun. All he could think about was his alpha's large cock moving deep inside him, roughly stroking his sensitive inner walls. Another cry tore itself from Shinichi's lips as his hips bucked, and his inner muscles clenched around that demanding cock.
His alpha was relentless. Again and again, he plunged deep into Shinichi's very core. Helpless in the face of the intensity of the sensations coursing through his body, Shinichi could only cling to his pillow with one hand and Kaito with the other as he rode the rhythm of those thrusts—in, out in.
Sensing from the way that Shinichi was rapidly constricting around him that the omega was close to the edge, Kaito tightened his grip on Shinichi's hips and shifted just so. His next thrust drove him hard and fast straight into that spot that sent stars exploding across Shinichi's vision. His inner muscles tightened exponentially around Kaito as he came, sending the magician over the edge as well.
The sensation of Kaito coming deep inside him sent another shudder of intense pleasure up Shinichi's spine, and he moaned in contentment. He felt happier now than he had all day. Letting the pillow he'd been using to stifle his cries with roll off somewhere, he slid his arms up around Kaito's neck and pulled the magician down into another kiss, this one soft and lingering as they both simply savored the pleasure of being so intimately entwined with the one they loved.
For a while, they simply stayed where they were, wrapped up in each other and oblivious to the rest of the world. This was what they had both been missing, and neither of them was feeling particularly eager to let it go just yet.
Eventually, however, they mutually agreed that they had better get cleaned up. Neither of them wanted to leave any evidence of their activities in this place if they could help it. Lucky for them, Kaito was very good at making evidence disappear.
-0-
"Kaito?" Shinichi murmured into the dark. They had cleaned up and showered and were now curled up together under the covers with their arms around one another and Shinichi's head tucked under Kaito's chin.
"Yes?"
"If we were both betas with no instincts drawing us together, do you think we would still be here?"
"Of course," Kaito said simply.
"You didn't even stop to think," Shinichi observed.
"Didn't have to," Kaito shot back. "It was your incredible ability to follow my beautiful plans and turn them upside down that caught my attention, especially since I thought at first that you were six—which, let me tell you, was a much bigger source of concern."
Shinichi thought about that and snickered. "Okay. That makes a lot of sense."
"Really though, I wouldn't want to change anything about us even if I could," the magician continued. "You are everything I could have asked for and more."
Shinichi blushed, glad that their positions hid it from his lover. Though he might feel the same, he could never understand how Kaito could say such things. He should sound ridiculous, but he never did.
"Speaking of which," Kaito continued, and his voice grew utterly serious. "There's something I wanted to ask you."
"What is it?" Shinichi asked, beginning to feel a little worried.
Kaito took a deep breath to steel himself then asked, "Would you consider bonding with me?"
Shinichi went still as his heart skipped a beat.
"You don't have to answer right away," Kaito went on. "And if you're not ready, I'll wait for you. But I know that I want to spend the rest of my life with you."
What went unsaid but which they were both thinking was that, once they were bonded, incidents like today would no longer be an issue as bonded pairs were immune to the scents of anyone who wasn't their partner.
"I," Shinichi started then stopped as words piled up and tangled with each other in his throat. He wanted to say yes—wanted it more than he had ever wanted anything else even, but he was also terrified. It would be a huge step, one with no take-backs. A bond once formed could never be broken.
He wasn't sure if he was ready. He wasn't even sure how he would recognize what being ready felt like.
And what about Kaito? Shinichi's life was far from danger free. If they bonded and something happened to him, Kaito would never be able to find someone else. Bonding was a one time deal. Did he really want Kaito to take that risk?
"Shin-chan?" Kaito asked, growing concerned as he sensed his omega's sudden inner turmoil.
"I…" Shinichi started again, paused, inhaled deeply, then forged on. "I want to, but I…I'm not sure I'm ready."
He sensed Kaito's disappointment, and guilt swept through him, but he could only tell the truth. Nothing less would be acceptable for something so important.
Kaito let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding and pulled Shinichi closer. "That's okay," he said, and it was true too. Yes, he was disappointed, but he could also sense that Shinichi's hesitation was not due to any uncertainty about them. Whatever the problem was, they would work it out together. "I can wait."
"I'm sorry."
Kaito frowned. "Don't be. It's a big decision. It's only right to make sure you think things through before you make it."
Still worried, Shinichi pulled away from Kaito just far enough so that he could look up into the magician's eyes. "You're the only person I want to be with. You know that, right?"
Kaito blinked then chuckled, leaning down to bump noses with the detective. "I know." He could sense it after all. He had felt Shinichi's joy and yearning when Kaito had asked if they could bond as well. Whatever was holding Shinichi back, it wasn't a lack of desire. "Like I said, I can wait."
Then, because Shinichi still looked mildly distressed, Kaito kissed him until the omega was dizzy and gasping for breath.
"Now we better get some sleep. The last thing we need is to be invited to stay a second night."
-End-
Note: See "The Trouble with Love" for the resolution to Shinichi's worries.