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Because he wanted to hold his hand and because Hakuba was still nervous around him Kaito stuffed his hands into his pockets. At the others words he found himself whipping his head around to look at him. What was that supposed to mean? Did he want to wait before they …. He messed up again and now Hakuba was apologizing for nothing. Refraining from tearing his hand into his bangs and degrading himself he kept uncharacteristically quiet. 

The silence was a bad sign, and Hakuba frowned, finally glancing at him. “Ah…” But what could he say to fix it? Which specific thing, of the very long list of wrongs he’d done that night, was Kuroba upset about now? 

Heaving a sigh, Hakuba turned back to look ahead again, his own hands finding their way into his pockets. Miserable, guilty, ashamed, feeling chided in the wake of the lack of response. 

Things had been better just before Baaya had interrupted. Dangerous, but better. He didn’t know how to feel or what to do and that, in and of itself, was frustrating enough, but to have Kuroba wrapped up in it and all of the stress from everything else… god he wanted that wine. Alcohol always made things a little bit easier to deal with. 

He fumbled with his keys, pulling them from his pocket once they got to the door. Two locks later, he looked back at Kaito, then gestured for him to go in first. “After you." 

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Kaito managed to look up at him when he walked in. The physical blow he felt when he saw him took his breath and voice away. Nothing was going to be the same for him. He couldn’t hear what Hakuba had said just walked over to him quickly. 

“I’ll come with you.”

He had to get out of that room. He needed to be near Hakuba again and try to figure out what he was going to do where exactly they stood in this.

Hakuba had expected to hurry and come right back, but having Kaito suddenly with him disoriented him all over again. “Ah, if… if you’d really like to,” he said, stumbling in his step as he made room the other in the hallway, though it was unnecessary, and started back down the hall.

Why did he have to blush so much? Really, was there any sort of evolutionary advantage to displaying embarrassment or anger in such a visible way? Perhaps it had something to do with posturing… or showing vulnerability to appeal to others’ more tender emotions? Humility, leading to trustworthiness? He wasn’t certain, but he didn’t like it. At all. Curse his damned British half.

“I’m sorry things haven’t gone exactly the way I’d intended… here, I’d wanted a chance for us to relax and talk a little more… perhaps get to know each other on the level, but, ah, all I’ve done so far is upset you.”  

He couldn’t bring himself to look at him while he spoke, simply walking with gaze focused straight ahead. 

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“Ah, Yes, please.” He blushed. Hakuba had talked about him to his mother. He stopped and had to think about it. He, Hakuba could have been complaining about him. Gods knows that he did the same with his mother. He released Baaya, placed his hands into his pockets and shifted from one foot to the other. Kaito found himself a little too excited and pleased yet so nervous and scared. He hope not too much of that showed though.

“Wonderful.” It was difficult for Baaya to be anything but amused about the entire situation. These two boys, barely out of their teenage years, so focused on being serious and career-minded, but still so tender. For all of their experiences – and she could tell that Kuroba had had his share – they were still so young in this world. “You make yourself at home, dear, and I’ll be right back." 

She left the room and glanced down the hallway again, smirking at Hakuba as he reluctantly approached.  "Your guest is waiting for you. I’ll be right back with the cake.”

“Thank you, Baaya…”  Hakuba said, taking his time to trudge over the polished floors, hands in his pockets. How was he supposed to face Kaito in the light of everything?

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“My mother?” He asked.

He wasn’t expecting that. Hakuba’s mother knew his. That was surreal and slightly irritating. Why didn’t Hakuba say something? Why didn’t his mother? His brow scrunched in irritation slightly and he debated on calling her. Poker face perfectly in place he continued with Baaya’s answer.

“She’s doing wonderful, I think the last time I had heard from her she was in Prague studying fashion.”

“Oh, that sounds lovely,” Baaya said, not missing the tiny hint of surprise, leading Kaito into the parlor. “I’ll be sure to let the mistress know. The young master talks about you so much that she couldn’t help but be curious, though they haven’t seen each other in ages…”

The parlor was a large room with plush carpet, neutral wall tones, receded lighting, and very comfortable leather furniture in various shades of dark brown. It was very much a lounge, really; stocked wet bar in the back, card table and chairs nearby, billiards table between that and the couches, large flat screen tv, expensive sound system… But then, it was technically the Superintendent General’s den, so of course it had to be larger than life and of supreme quality.

“Shall I go fetch a plate of cake for you both?”

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He smiled at her; quick and easy as he laid his hand over hers when it hooked his arm.

“Compared to what I ate tonight, it seems as though I can only get by. I do enjoy it though. My mother … we used to make up all kinds of stuff, good and bad, when I was younger.” He spoke and went soft when he spoke of his mother. Memories of easier and happier times played like an old film reel. Grainy and faded but just as warm and light as when they happened.

Baaya laughed, patting Kaito’s hand with her other, managing the flowers effortlessly. “Oh, that’s wonderful. And, really, you don’t need to make a three or four course meal just to get by… How is your mother doing, anyway, dear? The mistress has asked about her from time to time, but I doubt that the young master has really passed along the message…" 

When they reached the parlor door, she glanced back down the hallway to see if Hakuba was following yet, just in time to see his doorway open. 

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Kaito, oblivious to Hakuba’s turmoil extended his elbow to Baaya and bowed slightly.

“Baaya-chan, did Hakuba really bake the cake himself?” he asked hopefully.

“He did, actually!” Baaya was more than happy to talk about her charge, taking Kaito’s offered arm. “The young master is actually quite good at baking. He showed interest when he was younger, so one summer, the mistress had him privately tutored… That was the same year that he took up tennis and fencing, I believe. Oh, and he makes such wonderful desserts…”

She walked with the teenager down the hall to the parlor, voice light and cheerful. But then, Saguru was one of her very favorite things to talk about. 

“And not just desserts, either, though I think they may be his favorite. He can cook most things, just doesn’t usually find the time… He was so, so determined to be independent. Still is. Always has been.” A pause. “Do you cook, Kuroba-kun?”

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Kaito sent him a sly look and grinned like a fox. “Oh I wouldn’t say that.~ Thank you for telling me. I have a feeling that he wasn’t going to tell me.” He pretended to pout and gently took the woman’s hand into his and poured Asters into her hand and gave her a wink.

Baaya once again looked pleased at the offering, taking the flowers with a wry smile. Yes, she liked Kuroba-Kun. Quite a bit. “Oh, you know the young master… he’s so modest when it comes to his true talents…" 

Hakuba, hands in his face again, retreated to his bedroom to secure the monocle, lockbox, and window bench. He’d have to ask Kaito more about the whole thing later, but for the time being… he was just glad for the brief recess from the stress. 

They’d… confessed. They’d kissed. Where did that leave them?