At first he was going to just going to dismiss the detective and get on back to work on the twenty millions thing that had decided to break on him at the last heist starting with his hang glider. With the tray on the table Kaito took the pot and began to pour in grading heights starting at the lip of the pot then high. Once the water was done he placed the kettle back on the stove and closed up the pot.
“To be honest I didn’t think I was going to either. I really wasn’t in the mood to entertain.” That was a first for him but he can have his off days too. “But you looked like you really needed the help.”
He smiled and his internal timer called the tea good to be drank. Pouring the brew into the china he place a readied cup inf ront of Hakuba and then served himself with three sugar cube and a small amount of cream.
…oh.
The color in Hakuba’s face drained as the realization set in. He’d known that Kuroba didn’t care for him much, and no one really enjoyed being interrupted, but saying such out loud? The cold twist of his stomach made everything at the table suddenly very unappealing. Swallowing against the constriction in his throat, Hakuba slowly, cautiously straightened up in his seat, shoulders squaring back, expression fading first to one of wounded pride, which he tried and failed to hide.
“Ah.” The detective let his hands rest in his lap, the fingers of his left feeling through slacks for the gold watch in his pocket. It was still there. “Well, since you’ve gone to all of this trouble, I’ll try to keep it as brief as possible so that you can get back to your work. Again,” Hakuba’s tone transitioned to one of calm neutrality, lips becoming nothing more than a thin, straight line. “I apologize for the interruption. Shall I begin?”
It was difficult to keep the underlying irritation out of his voice. If the damned thief hadn’t wanted him there, he shouldn’t have let him inside. He didn’t need to be invited in only to be told that he was unwanted! It was insulting, really. And it hurt.
The watch made a snapping sound as he flipped it open with his thumbnail and peered at it under the table, confirming the time before putting it away again.