Chapter Text
Kaito never expected himself to become a father at the mere age of twenty two.
He remembers everything. It was on Christmas eve when Shinichi broke the news to him and he was overjoyed. He spent weeks reading up on how to take good care of Shinichi and announcing the news to every single person he knew. Shinichi was sixteen weeks in when Sherry revealed that they would be having a son and Yukiko and Chikage were in charge of their naming their grandson. Or they put themselves in charge at least.
“What do you think of Shintaro? Or Kurohito?” Yukiko squealed. “They both sound adorable!”
“I like Yuta and Akihito! Maybe Hiroshi? There’re so many adorable names to choose from!” Chikage giggled, flipping through the 5th book of baby names.
“What do you think, Kaito?”
Both moms turned to the magician simultaneously and he let out an awkward laugh. “I think… you two should lower your volume. Shinichi’s napping upstairs,” He smiled and got up from his seat. “I’ll go check on him. Enjoy yourselves!”
Kaito made his way upstairs to their room as muted as he could but found Shinichi up and awake, leaning against the bed headboard reading a book. Upon closer inspection, Kaito noticed that he was reading The Plague by Albert Camus and frowned.
It had to be the book that Hakuba lent him. And just when Shinichi was finally exempted from the hectic homicide cases that the police had piled onto him, Hakuba had to recommend him a book full of blood and death.
“Did we wake you?” Kaito asked while approaching.
“I hate to admit it, but yes,” Shinichi said, tilting his head for Kaito to plant a gentle kiss on his temple.
“I’m sorry, I’ll get them to talk softer. Try to get more sleep,” the magician smiled guiltily, patting the pillow and seizing the book from Shinichi’s hands.
“But I can’t sleep.”
“Is your back hurting? Do you want a massage?” Kaito asked, sliding a hand down the detective’s spine. Shinichi was already showing by now and he would help ease his backaches and sore feet with some massaging he learned from a friend.
Shinichi shook his head, “I’m okay, Kaito, but I’ve been sleeping all week and it’s boring.”
Kaito sighed helplessly but leaned in for another kiss. “In that case, want to join us downstairs to pick the baby’s name?”
“Of course,” Shinichi replied, shifting slowly to get onto his feet. As carefully as he could, the magician carried him downstairs in bridal style, stopping every now and then to spoil him with kisses. He will never get tired of it.
“Shin-chan, you’re awake!” Yukiko exclaimed and got up to help Shinichi settle onto the sofa. “We’ve decided on his name!”
“Kuroba Keiichi,” Chikage grinned, handing a piece of scrap paper to him, “It can mean respect or happiness!”
黒羽恵一
Shinichi examined his mother-in-law’s practised handwriting and beamed. “I love it,” he thanked and glanced at Kaito who nodded in approval.
“I like whatever you like, darling.”
_________________
Kuroba Keiichi was born on the 4th of June and Kaito cancelled his entire week’s performances to accompany Shinichi.
At first, Keiichi’s features were not distinct but they grew obvious when Keiichi turned a month old. The boy inherited berry blue eyes and a mixture of both Kaito’s messy hair and Shinichi’s iconic cowlick.
It had been four years since then but Kaito still remembers the first time he held Keiichi in his arms. It had brought tears to his eyes and he vowed to spoil both Shinichi and Keiichi for the rest of his life.
But things don’t always go according to plan.
Soon after Keiichi turned two, Kaito rose to fame for his magician career and rarely took days off during the week. Shinichi would also be as busy as ever with his cases, hardly ever returning home. Kaito had missed him greatly and was sick of going to sleep without his husband in his arms.
But what made him the most guilty was their neglect for their son.
Keiichi was mostly left with Shinichi’s parents on weekdays and Kaito would try to takeover during whenever he didn’t have performances. Surprisingly, Keiichi never complained and seemed cheerful whenever Kaito soaked in the bath with him or accompanied him to watch his favourite cartoon shows.
Well, at least until today.
“Welcome home, Kei-chan!” Kaito called out from the kitchen as soon as he heard the front door open. He waited for a reply from his son but none came. Kaito stepped out to see Keiichi stomping to his room.
“Kei-chan, what’s wrong?” The magician asked with a sigh.
At only five, he was starting to act a lot like Shinichi and he couldn’t tell if that was cute or worrisome.
“He’s upset because his classmate was bragging to him about going to the beach with his parents this weekend,” Yukiko responded instead, “he said ‘papa and daddy never brings me out’.”
Kaito’s heart sank.
He did try to take Keiichi out for desserts or to their neighbourhood playground but rarely with Shinichi. He couldn’t recall the last time they had fun or went on outings together as three. Kaito knows how much his husband loves his detective job and would never try to hold him back but… maybe it was about time he knew.
________________
“Are you free this weekend?” Kaito asked once Shinichi stepped into the house.
The detective was slightly surprised that his husband had greeted him with a question rather than his usual affectionate kisses and hugs.
“I might have to go back for a case. Something big happened recently,” he replied after studying Kaito’s face. “Why? Did something happen?”
Kaito brought Shinichi into an embrace. “It’s Keiichi, he’s upset because we don’t have time for him.”
The detective stood firm, breathing in Kaito’s calming scent. He understood what his husband meant.
It’s not ‘we’. It’s only him.
Shinichi would return home only after Keiichi was asleep and spent most of his weekends at the station. He had blamed himself on several occasions but never really tried to cut back on the cases.
“Is he sleeping yet?” Shinichi asked, pulling away from Kaito to enter the living room.
“I just bathed him. He’s watching Doraemon now.”
Shinichi strolled in to find the boy situated on the couch in front of the television, eyes fixated on the screen. “Keiichi,” Shinichi called out softly as he occupied the space next to him, “Daddy and I have tickets to Disneyland for this weekend. Would you like to go?”
It took a while for the preschooler to process the sudden question but beamed brightly once he did. “Yes!” Keiichi cheered, jumping onto his father for a hug and Kaito smiled from aside as he watched the two giggle.
“What a lie,” he teased his husband afterwards.
“Shut up.”
“So, you’re taking the weekend off?”
“Yeah, I’ll inform Megure-san,” Shinichi affirmed with a small smile.
“I’ll book the tickets then.”
“Thank you, Kaito,” the detective reached out for his hand and leaned in for a kiss.
Kaito grinned.
It was no doubt that he rained Shinichi with kisses whenever he could but it had been a while since Shinichi initiated one. “You should thank your mom. I wouldn’t have a clue either if it wasn’t for her.”
Shinichi nodded, “I’ll call her later. I’m going to take a bath,” taking a few steps up the stairs before pausing, “Do you... do you want to join me?”
Of course, idiot. You didn’t have to ask.
“After I put Keiichi to bed,” the grin on Kaito’s face grew wider as he watched Shinichi disappear upstairs.
“Okay, Kei-chan! Time to sleep!” the magician extended both arms as a means to hoist his son.
Keiichi lifted his head puzzlingly before his expression turned sour. “But Daddy said I could sleep at nine today!”
Kaito blinked at his son’s sudden tantrum and laughed. “I said that? When?”
“Earlier at exactly 6:48pm while you were preparing dinner,”
Oh God, he was starting to sound a lot like Shinichi. Isn’t he a little too smart for a five-year-old? And everyone insisted that Keiichi would grow to inherit his personality.
“Hmm, but we’ll have to save some energy for this weekend, right?” The magician said, clapping his hands to coax the boy, “Otherwise, Mickey will be very upset.”
Keiichi pondered for a moment before nodding.
“Okay!”
________________
Saturday came around faster than anticipated and Keiichi was the first to rise.
The small boy waddled to his parents’ room where he found the two snuggling cosily in each other’s arms. He calculated how to wake them both up and figured it was best to jump on them.
Kaito was startled awake before he scooped his giggling son up and attacked his ticklish spots. The detective, on the other hand, rolled over and groaned at the annoying ruckus when he heard a heavy gasp.
“Papa! I think there are bugs under the bed! You have marks all over your neck and shoulders!” Keiichi exclaimed, pointing at the very visible bruises on Shinichi’s exposed skin. “My teacher said that bed bug bites can cause swelling.”
Shinichi blushed fiercely and buried himself under the covers, leaving Kaito to chuckle shamelessly. The detective was so unbelievably adorable he wanted to pin him down and make out with him all day but Keiichi’s outing had to come first.
“Daddy, why didn’t the bed bugs bite you?” Keiichi asked, pulling the sides of Kaito’s nightwear for inspection.
“Well, Papa offended the bugs with his grumbling but they won’t attack Daddy because I’m friendly!” Kaito chirped, earning himself a kick from Shinichi.
The magician hoisted Keiichi up to the bathroom for a quick shower, leaving Shinichi in bed for some extra sleep. He knew that the detective was tired from cramping his cases all week and from their playful intercourse last night.
After dressing his son in a lovely Mickey Mouse t-shirt and waking Shinichi up from his short-lived slumber, the three stood in front of the crowded yet fascinating theme park.
“I want to go to the Castle Carrousel first!” Keiichi insisted, pulling onto Shinichi’s arm.
“We’ll go wherever you want to,” the detective offered his son a gentle smile before scooping him up.
The arena was flooded with the masses and it didn’t take long for some to recognise Kaito, given his fame.
“Do you mind performing a few tricks for us, Kuroba-san?” A young woman in her early twenties requested along anticipating cheers from several others. Kaito presented the crowd his warmest smile and he snapped his fingers to crop up a red rose.
“I would love to,” he handed the flower to her. “But I’m spending the day with my family. I hope this would suffice.”
“This is more than wonderful, Kuroba-san, I apologize for the disturbance,” the young woman accepted the rose gleefully before glancing at Keiichi in Shinichi’s arms. “What a beautiful family.”
Grinning, Kaito wrapped an arm around Shinichi’s, instantly painting the detective’s cheeks pink. “They are very beautiful indeed.”
Thus, the Kurobas headed to the Merry-Go-Round, followed by Pooh’s Hunny Hunt and Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride. Keiichi insisted a photo with the Mickey Mouse mascot despite its lengthy queue.
“Stupid Tadaoki is going to be so jealous!” Keiichi bragged to himself in the detective arms as they strolled out the hall.
Shinichi shook his head at his son’s petty comment and eyed Kaito suspiciously, “He’s starting to sound like you and your senseless hatred for Hakuba-san.”
The magician’s jaw dropped.
Is Shinichi even listening to himself? If anything, Keiichi’s personality matches his. And did he just compare them to toddlers?!
“Hakuba’s a thousand times worse! Besides, I don’t argue with him like a child,” Kaito defended with a pout. “He’s just an immature and narcissistic old man!”
Shinichi sighed at his husband and questioned how he managed to fall for this child in the first place.
Keiichi stared at his father before pouting himself. “Daddy, Tadaoki is exactly like uncle Hakuba! He’s always making fun of me!”
The magician beamed at his son’s input, pinching his cheeks as praise. “Only Kei-chan understands! We’ll take lots of pictures so you can make Tadaoki-kun jealous!”
Despite finding the whole thing ridiculous, Shinichi smiled at the father-son exchange. Keiichi was starting to act a lot like Kaito and he couldn’t tell if that’s cute or worrisome.
The Kurobas headed for their next ride at the Western Silver Railroad and Shinichi was reluctant to let Keiichi sit the ride alone until Kaito reassured him that their son would do just fine.
“Are you tired?” Kaito wrapped his arms around his husband from behind and planted a small kiss on his cheek. He smiled as Shinichi shook his head with a faint blush.
“This reminds me of the old times when I brought you here for a date,” Kaito mumbled, resting his head on the detective’s shoulder, “I hugged you like this for the first time as we were waiting for the Space Mountain ride, remember?”
Shinichi placed a hand above Kaito’s and smiled fondly as the memories flooded back. They were only eighteen then.
“You make it sound like you’re in your fifties but you’re barely over twenty seven.”
“Yeah, but we barely have time now, for both Keiichi and ourselves,” Kaito sighed before realising how insensitive he sounded. “It’s okay, though, Shinichi, I know you’re busy... I am too.”
“Kaito—“
“Daddy! Papa!”
Keiichi sprinted out at that moment and he freed Shinichi as their son leapt into the detective’s arms. Lifting Keiichi up, Shinichi caught a glimpse of Kaito’s sullen expression before a smile instantaneously replaced it.
“Did you have fun, Kei-chan?” The magician grinned, messing the boy’s hair.
Shinichi studied his husband’s face for a moment more before leaning forward to kiss him. But why? To cheer Kaito up? To assuage his guilt? How much of that expression was Kaito hiding from him?
________________
The three stayed on to watch the fireworks before they announced that the theme park was closing for the day. Strolling out hand in hand, Shinichi noticed his son’s solemn demeanour. “What’s wrong, Keiichi?”
“When will you join us again, Papa?” the boy frowned, knowing that it would take months or perhaps years before they could go out as three again. Shinichi glanced at Kaito who only offered him a helpless smile.
His heart panged.
His selfish neglect not only upset Kaito but had affected Keiichi the most, to the point where he was being teased at school. What was he doing, leaving his family and loved ones aside for work?
“How about... we go to the aquarium next week?”
“Really?!”
Shinichi nodded, smiling gently. “Also, fun fact: Daddy is afraid of fish.”
“Really?” Keiichi squeaked in wide-eyed surprise. “Then how will Daddy follow us?”
“He’ll cope, but we can laugh at him.”
The magician scoffed at Shinichi’s comment before picking Keiichi off the ground. “Haha, very funny,” he said without a hint of annoyance.
The ride back was peaceful yet weary as the couple remained silent and it didn’t take long for Keiichi to doze off. Shinichi took a glance at his son and stole a few more from Kaito but the magician seemed rather focused at wheel. He exhaled heavily, uncertain of his husband’s thoughts but Kaito must have sensed it.
“You’re free next week too?”
Shinichi nodded, face stained with guilt. “I’ve decided to take weekends off from now on.”
“A-are you sure?”
“Yes, I want to spend more time with Keiichi,” he said, reaching for Kaito’s free hand, “...and you.”
“Aww, Shin-chan, you’re too cute,” the magician grinned, interlocking their fingers. He knew Shinichi cared but it was more than adorable when he says it himself.
Shinichi shot him a disgruntled look in response. “Shut up, and stop calling me that. We have a son now.”
“No way! I’ll call you that even when we have grandchildren.”
“But it’s embarrassing!”
“Hmm? It doesn’t matter, right?” The magician squeezed his hand lightly. “You’ll always be my Shin-chan.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Shinichi gave up and sunk into his seat. He stared at his hand in Kaito’s and realised how fortunate he was to have him love him this much.
But does Kaito feel the same?
“Kaito,” Shinichi started, fidgeting with the magician’s fingers, “I... I love you, a lot, and Keiichi. So don’t be upset anymore... I’m sorry.”
Kaito didn’t reply immediately. Instead, he brought the detective’s hand up to his lips for a kiss, “I know, Shinichi, I love you too,” he said, smile widening. “Thank you, I missed you and I’m sure Keiichi will be very happy too.”
Shinichi hesitated before leaning over for a quick peck. After so many years, the smile that would appear on the magician’s face after a kiss still made his face burn.
Kaito pointed to his own lips, “I want one here too.”
“But you’re driving,” Shinichi reasoned and received a pout in return. He sighed, knowing that he will only give in to the magician anyway. “You can do whatever you want when we get home.”
Kaito beamed at that, “I won’t hold back then!”
Shinichi huffed and turned to view the mosaic city lights, hiding his darkening blush.
“Idiot.”