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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?

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Kaito sat back and looked over to Baaya. Wearing a sheepish grin and a laugh he got off Hakuba and offered a hand to him. “What’s this about a cake, Baaya-chan?”

Hakuba took the offered hand and got to his feet, dusting himself off afterward while Baaya answered the question, smirking. It was all too amusing for her, but she wasn’t the least bit surprised at what she’d walked in on. Well, other than that she’d heard yelling and harsh words, but she was well-aware that her charge was a passionate one, and his choice in guest was the same.

“Oh,” Baaya shrugged, turning around to lead them – if they chose to follow – to the parlor. “The Young Master wanted to bake a cake for his guest. He worked very hard on it.”

“Baaya…”  Hakuba ran a hand over his face, grimacing. “You really didn’t need to give that detail. And, ah, anyway, I need to lock up my room… I’ll catch up?" 

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“I really do like you.” He mumbled and sat back. He was still leaning over the other as he watched him. Hesitantly he shifted forward just slightly so their noses could brush. Then he waited for Hakuba to moved. Either to move forward and complete the kiss or push him back.

In that moment, Hakuba found that he was holding his breath again, eyes on Kaito’s, so very, very close together. He liked him. Kuroba liked him. He was there. He could kiss him. They already had kissed. Rather, Kuroba had kissed him. It was exciting, it was brilliant, it was nearly so perfect. Yet still he hesitated.

“Kuroba-kun…” he said in a whisper.

There were so many questions left, so many very complicated factors and things to consider. And though his eyes closed halfway and he leaned closer, ever closer, he was still far too aware to lose himself completely– which allowed him to see Baaya coming down the hallway.

Hakuba straightened up immediately, hand moving from Kaito’s back to his shoulder as he grasped him, pushing him away with a little laugh, though he held on. “R-really, we should get to the parlor…” he said, eyes wide and face flushed. “Oh look, here’s Baaya now! Is the cake all ready?”

“…indeed it is, Young Master…" 

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Poker face. Those words were so special to Kaito. They were the last meaningful words given to him by his father. Over come he launched himself at the other and wrapped his arms around his neck. He couldn’t bring himself to say anything and settled in burying his face into Hakuba’s neck. There was too many emotions and so much more that could be said but he couldn’t find the words at the moment.

“Ah-ACK! Kuroba-kun!” Hakuba hadn’t expected that, though he wondered if he should have, nearly toppling over backward onto the floor. He pinwheeled, though, arms flailing, then managed to catch himself on one hand, putting the other around him as he laughed.

“Bloody hell, what’s gotten into you? First calling me a pest, then nearly tackling me?"