Work Text:
There that detective brat was again, keeping Kogoro’s only daughter in his arms, swaying on the rhythm of the music. Kogoro squinted his eyes while watching how that brat said something with a smile, and her daughter laughed.
Maybe they shouldn’t have come to this wedding. Or maybe he shouldn’t have taken Ran with him. Because of course, Ran would take her boyfriend with them. Hell, those two went as far as brat’s tie and napkin in the breast pocket was the same color as Ran’s dress. Ran went everywhere holding that brat’s arm like they were glued together. Damn, they were like a married couple even though they haven’t been together for that long! How does that boy even dare?!
“Well, well, dear, if you squint any longer your eyes, I believe you got more wrinkles than you should have in this age.”
Kogoro didn’t take his eyes away from the young couple who just danced among other quests. “Don’t question me, I need to keep my eyes on them.”
“Why?”
“Well, just in case that brat does anything stupid to Ran”, Kogoro answered and finally looked at his wife who sat beside him. She looked at him doubtfully. “If he plans something, I can go and give him a lesson.”
Eri smiled dryly. “Ran is an adult, you know, so you can’t watch after her forever. Besides, if something happens, Ran can take care of herself, and I believe you know that.”
“Well, never can be too sure”, Kogoro answered and started to stare again that Kudo’s son and Ran. Yeah, he would be a good father and make sure that…
“And even though either of us doesn’t want to admit it, Shinichi-kun is a good boy.”
Kogoro knew this. Well, that boy had made a bad decision with that Organisation thing which he took down not too long ago, bringing too much worry and sad to her daughter, but still, now that he knew the truth, he has to admit that he has seen how that boy was ready to throw his life away just to protect Ran, making sure that she would be safe and sound. And Kogoro also understands why that boy kept it secret from Ran. Truth to be told, maybe it was better? Kogoro knew his daughter and he has followed those childhood friends as long as they were four. If that detective brat was ready to let himself killed just to keep Ran safe, Kogoro knew that Ran would do the same to that brat. If they would have known… Hell, he wouldn’t have forgiven that boy ever if someone would have hurt Ran because of Shinichi Kudo!
But even though Kogoro knew that detective brat was a good lad, it didn’t mean that he needed to admit it. And Ran was his only daughter, so of course, he would make sure that boy wouldn’t try anything funny, and more importantly, those two wouldn’t stay alone even for a moment.
Eri laughed. “You really should let go of her. She is stubborn. You can’t ever change her mind or her heart.”
Kogoro snorted. Why did his wife need to lecture him on what to do or not to do? “Even so, it doesn’t mean I need to like this”, he answered.
He felt a hand on his shoulder. “Dear”, she said softly. “I believe we both saw this coming a long time ago and made peace with it. It was only a matter of time.”
Kogoro felt his expression soften. For a moment he still looked at that one young couple, who just danced like they were in their own world, just staring at each other, smiling happily…
“Yeah, you’re probably right”, Kogoro said eventually and took his gaze away from them to light his cigarette. “It was only a matter of time.”