Kaito Oneshots - Magic Kaito

Bad Coping *

1018 Words excluding (A/N)~ I no own MK/DC~

Written December 6 2020
Posted January 24 2021

NEXT UPDATE is February 7 2021

Kaito wasn't eating well, and quite frankly, it was really starting to concern Ginzo. The healthy and happy child had slowly become too thin. It hadn't actually been noticeable at first, it was hard to see changes when you saw someone almost every day and when said changes had been slow.

The inspectors cursed himself for not keeping a closer eye on the boy, he'd thought that Kaito had recovered enough from Toichi's death to at least eat properly. Six months hadn't been enough. Why hadn't he questioned anything when the boy had started showing up at his house for meals more often?

It had changed from Kaito coming over a few times a week to him almost always being around. Of course he'd asked if the boy had eaten, but now he was starting to realize that Kaito had been lying to him whenever he'd reply that he had. Ginzo grit his teeth, not wanting to be angry at Kaito, the boy was hurting. The person he was really angry at was Chikage, Kaito's mother. He hadn't seen anything but quick glimpses of the woman lately now that he thought about it.

"Kaito" Ginzo's tone was soft as he knelt down beside the boy. Kaito had been practising with some cards at the coffee table "Why didn't you tell me that your mother wasn't around?"

Kaito frowned, indigos lowering as the boy bit his lip "I saw mom yesterday" He wasn't lying, Chikage had suddenly appeared, checked a few things, then left again.

The inspector let out a sigh, resting a hand on the other's much too bony shoulder "That may be true, but seeing someone and having them around are two different things" He used his other hand to wipe Kaito's cheek, removing the thick layer of makeup that had made the boy look healthy "It's a bit like how looking healthy is different than being healthy"

With a sniff from Kaito, Ginzo was met with watery indigos staring at him "I don't think mom loves me anymore" She never smiled at him anymore, instead, she actually looked sad whenever she looked at him these days "Looking after me is hard" The cards that had been in his hands were easily crushed as his fingers curled "I'm sorry" Blinking away tears was becoming hard "Don't leave me too" Mom had loved him, but then left after being forced to care for him on her own. He didn't want Ginzo to do the same, then he'd be all alone.

Fuck, Chikage was really going to get a piece of his mind "She doesn't hate you, she adores you" He pulled the boy into a hug, which was promptly returned "She's not dealing well with her grief" His gaze softened "Though it's no excuse for how she's been treating you, she should have told me that she wasn't going to be around. Then I could have done more to help you" He didn't want Kaito to somehow end up thinking that her actions were fine.

"She never smiles at me" Kaito sniffed, words a bit distorted from being hugged against Ginzo's chest "I make her cry" He started to tremble "I miss dad, I miss mom too" He couldn't lose Ginzo too.

"You look a lot like Toichi" Ginzo admitted softly, brushing his fingers though the boy's hair, sure the hair was different, and Kaito's feature were obviously softer from youth, but there was an resemblance "You probably remind her of him whenever she looks at you"

Kaito pulled away just enough to meet Ginzo's gaze "I must make you sad too then" Tears were still streaming down his face, he'd been right, he was going to end up all alone. His dad and Ginzo had been very close.

"A little" Ginzo offered a small smile "But you also make me really happy, I'm so proud of you whenever you learn a new trick. You're not Toichi, seeing you grow up into your own person makes me feel like I'm not failing my friend" He grinned "I also like having another kid around, it makes life more fun" Both Aoko and Kaito had become his main focus ever since Kid had started his longest hiatus yet. Though it seems like even without the distraction of Kid, he was apparently not the best at being attentive.

The boy tilted his head, he was confused "Why am I only making mom sad then?"

Ginzo's gaze softened "Your mother needs more help, I'll talk things over with her"

Kaito made a curious noise in the back of his throat "Then mom will come back?" He asked hopefully.

The inspector let out a breath "No, not right away" The hurt look he received was almost enough to make him want to lie "I'm keeping you until your mother is okay enough to properly care for you, her mind is unwell from sadness. She needs to recover enough first" He didn't want Chikage to end up neglecting Kaito again.

"Oh" Kaito visibly deflated at the answer.

"Oi" Ginzo gave Kaito a mock offended look "What's wrong with me taking care of you?" He poked Kaito's forehead, giving himself a mental pat on the back when the boy cracked a faint smile "Am I not good enough for you? Brat" He teased, grinning "I guess Aoko and I will eat all the chocolate ice cream by ourselves"

"Not the chocolate" Kaito sniffed, wiping away his tears and with them, the rest of the makeup. The dark circles under his eyes made the boy look more ill than before.

"We'll see" Ginzo was thankful for the boy's love of chocolate "Let's start working on a nice dinner first" He glanced at his phone "Maybe we can even finish making it before Aoko gets back from Keiko's" He'd decided to use the opportunity to have this talk with Kaito, just in case it took longer than expected. It was the sort of talk that shouldn't have any interruptions.

"Okay" Kaito nodded, still feeling a bit subdued. At least he knew that Ginzo wouldn't leave like his mom had. He just couldn't help but wish that his mom wasn't sick.

Me: So it wasn't solved, but Ginzo made Kaito feel a bit better~

Hope you enjoyed~

Hmm messing with or random woes? Both written but order choice can be decided on

•3• hmmm blueberry pudding?  It exist?