Work Text:
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage." – Lao Tzu
After flipping over the page of the brutal summer, Tokyo had eventually entered the crisp autumn days. The rustling leaves of the trees on the sidewalk had started turning yellow and auburn.
The bracing air was cozy enough to have people willing to take a stroll during the daytime while listening to the sound of the crunch of fall leaves underfoot.
In downtown Chiyoda, Hibiya Park was located in the heart of the city. The park was known for its reputation as an oasis of calm, an agreeable place for the urbanites to unwind themselves through the busyness.
The scenery inside the park was far different from the view of the street. With the more vivid and vibrant colors of the autumn trees, the wide flowerbeds full of seasonal flowers, and the large grass lawns and pavements were covered in freshly fallen saffron leaves. It had made the seasonal vibes even more palpable in Hibiya Park.
It seemed rather contradictory since Hibiya Park was within easy walking distance of Ginza. As if there were boundaries between the park and the avenues. It practically insulated against the noise of bustling roadways and rush walking pace.
The tranquility of the park often eased people’s agitation as soon as they stepped into the space. As if not letting yourself fit in would be disrespectful to such ambiance.
Being one of the iconic spots inside Hibiya Park, Kumogata Pond sure had taken all its advantages to be the most significant among the others.
The fusion of russet, golden and crimson foliage had created a gradient-colored landscape around the said pond.
The complex patterns of the fall leaves truly were one of nature’s miracles.
But such resplendent scenery didn’t draw in many visitors today, presumably because it was the afternoon time during the weekday.
Kaito didn’t expect this, but it made him feel like Heaven was trying to polish his plan even more perfect.
Because the magician had been intending to have his workaholic boyfriend detach from study and case files for a while time and obtain some moment to relax his stressful mind and body.
He felt very lucky to be here just when the leaves were in full splendor. And since the most favored spot wasn’t packed as it usually was, they had effortlessly found themselves a secluded area under the large ginkgo tree to carry out their picnic date.
The lawn under their picnic blanket appeared to be a vast golden carpet that had long been covered by the yellow ginkgo leaves. They swung and danced around the couple in the brisk wind, then peacefully fell onto the ground once more.
Kaito loved the kaleidoscopic change these foliage go through in autumn. The magic of nature never failed to amaze him.
But perhaps what he loved more was that he could see Shinichi standing in such breathtaking prospect. Autumn leaves surrounded him when they fell from branches as he reached out his hand, trying to catch a leaf, his lips curling slightly, eyes sparkling softly.
Kaito couldn’t tear his eyes away from him.
He remembered he striding to Shinichi out of impulse, wrapping his arms around his shoulders from behind, burying his nose in his hair and kissing it. The gentle squeeze Shinichi gave on his arm made his heart even more fluttered. Kaito let out a little breath, wanting to engrave this moment in his memory.
Thought back on his earlier acts, Kaito smiled to himself and tightened his arms around his boyfriend’s waist, who was now sitting between his legs. Shinichi leaned his side against Kaito’s chest, with his favorite Sherlock Holmes in his hands.
Kaito leaned forwards to Shinichi, shortening the last bit of distance between them by placing his head on the crook of his neck.
Even just an inch apart was enough to make him feel unbearable.
“‘…A wondrous subtle thing is love, for here were we two, who had never seen each other before that day, between whom no word or even look of affection had ever passed, and yet now in an hour of trouble our hands instinctively sought for each other.’”
Words came out from Shinichi’s soft lips as he enunciated with a mild tone of his voice.
Kaito closed his eyes, allowing himself to drown in the lovely sound of his lover.
“‘…So we stood hand-in-hand, like two children, and there was peace in our hearts for all the dark things that surrounded us.’”
“It’s pretty marvelous, isn’t it?” Kaito whispered against his ear. “Even though they hadn’t spoken or gotten to know each other, somehow, they knew that they could depend on one another,” his lips moving slowly downward.
Shinichi could feel the heat crawling up the tip of his ear and shiver at the warm breath now lingering on his neck.
Despite being distracted a little, Shinichi still brought himself to ponder how Kaito commented on the former lines of The Sign of the Four.
He recalled the first time reading his now favorite story of Sherlock Holmes and the multiple times of going over even after he was a grown-up. He had always considered the plot where described how John Watson made these observations about how he and Mary Morstan met was exceptionally peculiar to him.
Little Shinichi couldn’t quite imagine why people could have these deep-bond feelings towards someone they just met. Which meant they would have their whole trust given to someone they were barely familiar with.
The unsolved question had come to trigger the adolescent Shinichi’s inquisitiveness. He started to wonder whether this kind of emotion truly existed. That would make you spontaneously want to get close to the particular person when things went wrong and dark, even though you hadn’t gotten to know each other for long.
To think everything would be safe and sound, as long as they are by your side.
To rely on each other against all odds.
Seeing his detective lost in his contemplation, Kaito nuzzled against his cheek, drawing Shinichi closer with his arms around his torso, trying to get his lover’s attention back to himself.
Shinichi turned his head. His heart skipped a beat when he locked his eyes with his magician. The said magician gazed at him with an adoring smile on his face, making Shinichi’s heart melt. He could smell Kaito’s scent as he leaned in to Shinichi, pressing their foreheads together.
Yes, he looked at the man he loved and thought to himself. It does exist.
Shinichi rarely gave much thought to the romance parts of any stories he had read, let alone reflecting on them.
But to Shinichi’s surprise, something was changing in his mind when he read today. When he read the storylines associated with love, he couldn’t help but think all the sentences had made him feel they were worth having some serious thoughts. There was also a feeling of great happiness that bloomed in him, which he had never had before.
His heart was beating fast due to Kaito’s soft eyes and warm breathing. Shinichi turned his head back with uneasiness, trying to focus back on the fiction once more, which was totally futile.
“‘But love is an emotional thing, and whatever is emotional is opposed to that true cold reason which I placed above all things…’”
As Shinichi continued his reading, he felt Kaito’s lips peck on his cheek, his slender and elegant fingers stroked a lock of hair back from his forehead and tucked it behind his ear, his touch impossibly tender. Then there was a light kiss pressing on his temple.
Shinichi’s voice trailed off as he turned to look at his magician. With his last ending note, his lips were captured by a firm kiss.
The beginning of their kiss was delicate and chaste. It was enough to have Shinichi’s heart fluffy. Kaito held his jaw tenderly while he was kissing Shinichi with care and attentiveness, then starting to part his lips slightly.
Shinichi felt lightheaded, resting his limp hand on Kaito’s heart and feeling it hammering in his chest, the same as his own. It made Shinichi thrilled with excitement and slowly kiss him back.
Shinichi’s mild response encouraged Kaito to deepen everything further. His hand came to hold the back of Shinichi’s head as he took one of his lips between his, gently sucking and nibbling at his bottom lip. Shinichi moaned into Kaito’s mouth and wrapped his arms around Kaito’s neck, he shivered at the hoarse gasp Kaito made that intermingled with his own.
Tingles of electricity raced along Shinichi's nerves when Kaito’s tongue slipped inside his mouth to brush against his, turning their intimacy even more fervent. His fingers threaded through Kaito’s hair, the other hand moving to fondle the nape of his neck.
As if their minds were in sync, though the kisses had been burning hot, they didn’t escalate any further from what they were doing, as if they were satisfied with the things as they were and just savoring each other’s warmth.
Shinichi thought he would never get used to this. He had always willingly indulged himself in Kaito’s ardent love. Their kisses Kaito initiated were often meant to be gentle, but constantly ending up in passion. Shinichi wasn’t sure whether he was addicted to those lips or the owner of them.
Kaito’s behavior of possessiveness seemed like he wanted to overturn the former statement coming from Holmes. Shinichi had to admit, it did work on him.
After all, would he be that capable as Holmes, to place reason above emotion?
Would he be able to distance himself from love, prevent any emotional swings, and stay completely rational for fulfilling every perfect deduction?
Perhaps the questions had been forming slowly in the deep down of his heart long ago when he first met the white figure under the moonlight. He just didn’t perceive them back then.
Then there was that day when the phantom thief took off his top hat and monocle in front of him. The used-to-be piercing indigo eyes now gazed at Shinichi with all the tenderness and sincerity.
Shinichi could see the stars glistening in the phantom thief’s cobalt blue orbs. He found it difficult to find any words to describe how stunning this man’s eyes were after he revealed his identity to him. They were beautiful than any starry night sky to Shinichi.
It suddenly dawned on Shinichi that all those questions wouldn't go unanswered anymore.
“Kuroba Kaito,” he heard the man say. “That’s my name.”
The phantom thief looked at his great detective’s dumbfounded face, which was very endearing in his opinion. Kaito didn't have any idea how loving his own expression had gotten on his face.
Kaito had been observing his reaction. He would be a total liar if he said he was not nervous.
He had been waiting for this moment forever. And he couldn’t endure waiting any longer.
The risk of lying bare his true identity wasn’t his greatest concern, because it was nothing compared to the fear of not seeing Kudo Shinichi again.
Everything might stray from what he had hoped for after he quitted being Kaitou KID. He didn’t want Kaitou KID to be the only connection between them.
Pandora had been found and destroyed by his own hands. Kaitou KID had accomplished his once ultimate target and put an end to his revenge.
All of those achievements and pasts belonged to Kaitou KID.
And none of those was something that Kuroba Kaito had ever asked for.
Kuroba Kaito might have an aspiring dream as grand as Kaitou KID’s ambitious goal.
But Kuroba Kaito never truly set his eyes on any jewels and gemstones as Kaitou KID did.
Until a pair of striking blue stormed into his life.
He, then, had been setting his heart on one particular sapphire ever since. The most brilliant one in the universe.
“After stepping down from the stage under the moonlight, in the end, even an invincible phantom thief is just an ordinary man…” He could feel himself exhale.
“...Who wants to spend his every minute and second under the sunlight with the person he loves.”
His eyes never left Shinichi.
Pretentious as ever… The detective thought.
But the stronger Shinichi’s heart thumped, the more eager he ran to the man and took him into his arms with all his might.
Shinichi knew he had no intention of flying away with his glider this time. The gentleman thief was just standing there and waiting patiently for Shinichi’s response.
The distance between the sky and the sea suddenly seemed nothing and meaningless to Shinichi, as long as he got to hold the man he loved in his arms.
Shinichi felt the grasp around his body tightened, as the other man trembling against him after he whispered his reciprocation to the thief’s ear.
Like the time when Watson confessed his love to Miss Morstan after he realized that she was within his reach.
It’s impossible, Shinichi concluded.
The kisses with Kaito had no sign of stopping, both of them were reluctant to break the connection.
He would never be able to place love below reason and rationality.
Because no matter how hard he tried, Kuroba Kaito will always be the center of his mind, his distraction, and his only exception.
Shinichi was aware of Kaito’s rising body heat seeping out of his cardigan from their press-close bodies. Kaito hadn’t usually had higher temperatures than most people, which caused him hardly to stand the cold. It made Shinichi elated, knowing he was able to warm Kaito up to a certain extent.
The relentless kiss came to a halt as they separated for some air. But none of them had fully withdrawn from each other.
Shinichi remained his eyes closed, feeling Kaito’s hot breath touching his senses as they breathed each other in. He opened his eyes only to see Kaito fixated on him with fondness and passion. His heartbeat quickened again at the sight of it.
Kaito’s hands came to cradle Shinichi’s face, fingers stroking his cheekbones as though he was cherishing the most precious jewel in the world. Shinichi’s cheeks flushed under his fingertips, eyes glowing with joy. Kaito could see himself reflecting in those heavenly azure orbs.
Kaito couldn't restrain himself from the flooding affection for his beloved detective as he brought their lips together once more with a lip-lock kiss.
This treasure was his to hold and belonged to him only.
He would never allow anyone the chance to take his place.
“You are making it very difficult to finish the reading, and you were the one who wanted me to read to you,” Shinichi chided, but without an ounce of annoyance.
“As much as I love listening to your pleasant voice, I still gotta seize every moment with you while I can before the police and cases take you away from me,” Kaito murmured into the crook of Shinichi's neck as he clung to him. Shinichi’s scent never failed to put him at ease and now calmed the frantic beating of his heart. Kaito sighed with contentment.
Mussing his puppy boyfriend’s spiky but soft hair, Shinichi found it amusing at Kaito’s pouty long face.
Despite being all jealous, Kaito had never stopped him from doing anything he wanted or liked. He had always been standing by Shinichi’s side and having tremendous faith in him when Shinichi had doubts in himself. Kaito made him feel more confident and encouraged him to keep adhering to the belief he had upheld.
But Shinichi yearned to spend more time with Kaito. He had been thinking about how he was going to make up for his magician boyfriend after closing the recent case he was on.
Even if Kaito was a considerate lover with numerous patience that Shinichi grew to depend on, he definitely wouldn’t take Kaito’s kindness for granted.
Shinichi had one class this morning and was needed to attend the investigation meeting later at dusk. He had thought about grabbing a bite for lunch and arrived at the MPD ahead of schedule.
But last night Kaito suggested they could make the most of their spare time in the afternoon by having a small picnic at Hibiya Park rather than having Shinichi keep adopting his irregular eating habit. Since the park was close to the MPD anyway.
The latest case Shinichi investigated was rather intricate since it had been occupying most of his time and attention, and it also, unfortunately, squeezed their time together.
Despite how much he missed him, Kaito never wanted to be a hindrance to Shinichi for doing what he loved. His detective boyfriend’s enthusiasm for pursuing truth had made him shine brightly before public eyes. Kudo Shinichi would always be a needed hero, Kaito had been profoundly aware of it long before they started dating.
Kaito’s heart felt warm knowing Shinichi could tell from his words and gestures that showed how very much Kaito had longed for him.
Because he could also sense the same eagerness of Shinichi when he came home at night with haste and urgency. Even though he had told Kaito that he would be home late and they didn’t have any plans afterward.
Didn’t want to be apart from you any longer than we had been.
Even just shorten a few more minutes of waiting was enough to motivate me to come back to you immediately.
Kaito had hoped this long-awaited date could lessen the stresses Shinichi had these couple of weeks.
Although he was also excited about catching up on their lost time. But seeing his Shinichi was able to have adequate rest and the healthy diet Kaito fixed for him, disengaging himself from cases for a while to have some leisure for himself, or letting out a carefree expression instead of an incisive look with knitted brows was everything that had made Kaito feel assured and gratified.
To Kaito, nothing was prior and more important than Shinichi’s well-being.
They talked about anything and everything, or nothing at all, and just enjoyed the comfortable silence between each other during this period of their lovely afternoon.
Shinichi stayed in Kaito’s embrace with his head on his shoulder, rereading The Sign of the Four.
Kaito rested himself against the trunk of the ginkgo tree, sometimes catching a little shut-eye, but most of the time he just admiring his detective boyfriend reading in earnest, with his hand absentmindedly roaming through Shinichi’s fine hair and on his lean body.
Shinichi couldn't refuse when Kaito coaxed him to read to him with his lips caressing his hairline. He gave Kaito a questioning look because Kaito had barely shown much interest in Holmes. But his magician just explained with his smiley face.
“But I love listening to the sound of Shinichi’s voice and I probably will come to like it if you read it to me!”
“And isn't this Shinichi’s favorite story of all time? I want to try liking the things Shinichi likes as well.”
Shinichi considered himself couldn't compare with Kaito when it came to adding sparkle to daily life. Because Kaito certainly knew how to make dull life more delightful than he did.
Just like his liveliness had brought so much joy to the people around him with his magic tricks and his personal magnetism.
But it was always different from the way he behaved toward Shinichi.
He would laugh with wonder in his eyes when he succeeded in performing his new tricks for the first time before Shinichi.
He would accept Shinichi’s praise with genuine merriness rather than a perfect poker-faced smile.
He would frequently figure out plenty of ideas to have some small celebrations whenever Shinichi closed cases. But he didn’t do that often for himself after he accomplished countless phenomenal magic shows. Not as much as the times he did it for Shinichi.
He had long abandoned the gentlemanly manners of kissing the back of women’s hands ever since they began their relationship.
He had planted his kiss on Shinichi’s palm with the declaration of “From now on, this phantom thief’s heart shall evermore be in your hands.”
And the roses he gave Shinichi were forever red.
There was hardly a bland moment with Kaito even if they did nothing particular.
Just the existence of the magician was enough to make Shinichi feel blessed every day.
Kaito had devoted so much to their relationship, as well as to him.
Shinichi felt privileged to be the one who could see every side of Kaito’s true characters and for the idea of himself being the only person who got to possess everything Kaito offered exclusively to him.
And today was supposed to be like any other day, starting with humdrum, then possibly ending with weariness.
But Kaito’s impromptu idea of yesterday had filled the gap of his afternoon time.
After getting Shinichi’s consent, Kaito had begun to plan what he was going to prepare for their picnic date in high spirits.
Shinichi looked at his childlike boyfriend, a stream of warmth flowing into his heart.
“Oh, and we definitely can’t leave out the lemon pie,” stated the excited magician.
“Something simple and light will do. You don’t have to go out of your way,” Shinichi said.
“But doesn’t Shinichi want my homemade lemon pie? You love it every time I make it for you.”
His magician was playing innocent with his big puppy eyes yet again.
But shouldn’t the one who wanted to have the said pastry be the person to persuade the cook with the pleading face? And not the other way around?
“…If it’s not too much trouble,” Shinichi had long given up on counting how many times he had been giving in to his lover.
Kaito beamed as though he just ate two scoops of chocolate ice cream, then threw himself into Shinichi’s arms.
“There will never be any trouble if it’s you.”
His love for this man appeared to increase more and more with each passing day.
Shinichi was pulled back from his memory by a series of light kisses peppering on his neck. The softness of Kaito’s warm lips had weakened every being of his body. The detective wasn’t aware that his fingers had been petting his magician’s hair unconsciously. As if it was his reflex to be closer to Kaito before he had known it.
“Shinichi has been lost in thoughts today. What’s on your mind?” Kaito breathed as he continued his doings.
“You.”
The kisses on his clavicle paused. His magician seemed to be taken aback by his word.
Shinichi chuckled at his lover’s reaction, his hand moving from Kaito’s head to caress his face.
“Seems like someone is not satisfied with the answer?” Shinichi spoke softly beside Kaito’s ear.
Kaito’s hand came to hold Shinichi’s with a squeeze, pressing it closer to his face.
“No, it’s not that. I just…didn’t think you would say that…”
Seeing the blush that came into Kaito’s cheeks, Shinichi couldn’t refrain from feeling proud of himself that he was the cause of this.
If every time his initiation could exchange for witnessing the countenances of Kaito getting surprised, ecstatic, bashful, and flustered, then he probably should have taken the initiatives more often than before.
Kaito brought Shinichi’s hand from his face to his lips, dotting his kisses on his palm and each of his fingers. As if he was reciprocating Shinichi’s feeling.
I can’t just let him always be the one to give, Shinichi thought.
He also wanted to give more and do more things for Kaito.
He wanted to make Kaito feel just how much he loved him as well.
Kaito lifted his head from the palm of Shinichi’s hand. As soon as their eyes met, Shinichi’s lips crushed Kaito’s instantly.
Kaito sighed in astonishment, then closed his eyes to kiss his detective back slowly and steadily. Contrary to Shinichi’s desperate kiss, Kaito’s response was milder and gentler. The magician slid his arms around Shinichi’s waist, running his hands down his spine soothingly while accepting all the fervidness coming from his beloved.
Shinichi could feel his magician’s deft fingers sending shivers to his body as they moved. Their whole body curved into each other’s as Shinichi held the nape of Kaito’s neck firmly and pulled him closer to vanish the last bit of gap between them.
The quenchless passion of their attachment showed how impossible for them to part from the other. It consumed them, overwhelmed them. They had no intention of resisting this drastic tide but to swim with it and gladly immerse themselves in it.
Kaito faintly found himself descend to the ground, where his back had touched the blanket. The back of his head was protected by Shinichi’s hand holding underneath with care as they fell without breaking their connection.
Kaito tightened his grasp around Shinichi to secure his torso on top of him. He winded his fingers through Shinichi’s hair while savoring the vehement kiss with the same burning passion.
He really, genuinely adored his Shinichi making a move of intimacy on him. The magician understood his coy detective wasn’t the type to convey his feelings easily when it came to relationship. But Kaito just knew, in Shinichi’s heart of hearts he had always loved him unquestionably and unconditionally, as well as Kaito had done to him.
Kaito never minded being the one of them to initiate any acts of affection. But whenever Shinichi became forward with loving words and gestures to him, Kaito would invariably be delirious with joy and have his heart melt into a puddle of love right on the spot.
To have someone like Shinichi willing to be affectionate towards him, the immense bliss had made Kaito realize that he is the luckiest man alive.
He thought he couldn’t possibly love him any more than he already did, but he went and changed his view again and again.
He had lost counts of how many times he had fallen for him.
They had gradually settled into a tender, languid touch of the lips from their impassioned kisses.
Their hot breath mingled as they pressed their foreheads together. Both of them weren’t sure whether they were panting for air or for each other.
Shinichi delicately tugged at Kaito’s bottom lip, tasting his softness and sultry breathing deliberately. He then covered Kaito’s lips fully with his own, simply attaching to them without any administration and enjoying their indescribable closeness.
The detective lifted himself a little to gaze down at his beloved magician with his hand still caressing his handsome face.
Shinichi didn’t quite understand why that even if they both looked almost identical to the other, he couldn’t help but think that the same combination on Kaito’s face had undoubtedly made him look more attractive than Shinichi himself.
He brushed Kaito’s bangs away to reveal his ravishing indigo eyes which now beheld Shinichi with the deepest love in them.
Shinichi felt like his heart nearly didn’t belong to himself due to the uncontrollable frenzy throbs pounding in his chest. He had already expended a massive amount of his will to turn his eyes away from Kaito when he had this sort of look in his eyes on Shinichi not too long ago. Now Shinichi absolutely couldn’t and didn’t want to tear his eyes away from him anymore.
Just like he didn’t want Kaito to take his eyes off him as well.
Shinichi flushed hard at the sight of Kaito’s swollen red lips, knowing full well that was caused by his aggressive deeds.
Kaito smiled fondly at his lover. He held Shinichi’s chin and tilted his own head up slightly to peck on the corner of Shinichi’s mouth.
Shinichi exhaled. The skin that Kaito’s lips had grazed was searingly hot, leaving Shinichi a shudder of desire through his senses.
He felt his body slowly draining of the remaining strength he had left. Not because of exhaustion, but of his overwhelmingly euphoric state and lightheartedness after releasing all his mustered-up emotions.
He landed himself on Kaito completely, melting against him to press every inch of their bodies together and nuzzling the side of his neck.
Kaito’s powerful pulsation had brought Shinichi an unparalleled sense of security, pacifying the exhilaration of Shinichi’s heart at the same time.
Kaito took Shinichi’s hand that was stroking his neck and intertwined it with his own, the other arm wrapping around Shinichi’s shoulders with his hand rubbing his upper arm lovingly and protectively.
The magician flipped them on the side while keeping his detective in his embrace. His arm pillowed Shinichi’s head, Shinichi instinctively nudging closer to Kaito’s chest, and it made Kaito only want to clasp him further in his arms.
“There’s still some time left. Why don’t you nap for a bit? I’ll wake you up when it’s time,” Kaito whispered against Shinichi’s forehead while caressing his cheek.
Shinichi didn’t intend to have a siesta at first. But with the mellow tone of Kaito’s voice, the warmth of his hands gently touching his bare skin, and his smell and body heat surrounding him had lured him into the state of drowsiness.
Kaito chortled as he watched the lethargic face and the hazy eyes of his dear boyfriend. His sharp-witted Shinichi had always been like this when he got up in the morning. His response would be a little slow and sluggish, which Kaito thought was beyond adorable.
Kaito’s lips lightly touched Shinichi’s droopy eyelids. “Get some rest. It will refresh you for concentrating later at work.”
And that kiss was the last straw for Shinichi to give up on fighting against his willpower.
“Then you’d better not fall asleep if you are going to awake me.”
“I will try my best.”
Shinichi eyed him skeptically, then rolled his eyes when Kaito gave him a smirk.
The detective sighed and glanced at his mischievous magician before curling back into his arms. Shinichi could feel Kaito tightening his hold on him again and drawing subtle circles on his back.
There was nowhere Shinichi would rather be than right here in Kaito’s arms.
Shinichi wouldn’t acknowledge to anyone the fact that deep in his heart, he thought he wouldn’t care if Kaito also dropped asleep so that they could oversleep together and just forget all the matters and time. This way he got to stay with Kaito longer and didn’t have to leave him in a short while.
…Since when I’ve become like this? Shinichi wondered.
Sometimes it scared him, just how much his love for Kaito had impacted on him.
The earlier statement of Holmes had crossed Shinichi’s mind again. As to reason and emotion.
Even though the college detective had been deemed a Reiwa Holmes, but to Shinichi, this difference between him and Sherlock Holmes was something that he might not be able to catch up, and quite possibly never.
Shinichi found himself didn’t mind it in the slightest.
If this was what it took to become a detective as great as Holmes, then he supposed he still had a long way to go.
He might not be up to the standard of Holmes on this aspect, but he was well pleased as long as he got to be the Great Detective exclusively to Kaito.
The pacific blow of breeze had brought the multicolored autumn leaves to waft up in the air once more. A single ginkgo leaf fell on the crown of Shinichi’s head as he started dozing off into slumberland.
Kaito took that piece of golden foliage away and gingerly combed the strands of Shinichi’s hair out with his supple fingers while gazing with fondness at Shinichi’s slumbering face.
He couldn’t get enough of him, whether it was touching or kissing or just merely watching him. And it only had been getting stronger and stronger as time went by.
The magician planted his lips on top of his detective’s head, shutting his eyes and heaving a sigh of restraint as if he couldn’t contain the intensity of his feeling anymore.
“…I really, really love you so much.”