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January 19th.
That day was special for the both of them, Poe’s birthday. Ranpo loved showering poe with kisses and tickles every year on this day, he claims it’s like it’s a “special alarm” since poe is always working late in his office and hardly ever hears his actual alarm ring, but really it may just be an excuse to touch Poe, not that he needs to.
Ranpo gently pokes his nose then proceeds to caress his cheek, stroking soft warm skin. “My beautiful Poe.”
he whispered the words faintly enough so that only he could hear them. He kisses his closed eyes and that wakes him up, softly becoming aware of his surroundings, tired eyes stare back at bright green ones.
“Dear, good morning how did you sleep?” he smiles tenderly but with the bedroom already dim and curtains closed you probably wouldn’t have noticed it. Ranpo did, he always did to him poes smiles were worth a million ordinary ones they made him feel special and sweet.
He gave a cheeky grin back at Poe “Yk I always sleep better with you.” he went to hug poe’s arm and squeezed it tightly. “I’m glad” Poe kissed the top of Ranpo’s head. Ranpo looked at poe with a smile almost mischievous and slightly witty “Hey poe it’s your birthday, and before you say oh I have work to get done” Ranpo did quotation mark with his fingers. “No no we are going to celebrate, I have the day off from work specifically for your birthday and you’re spending every second with me.”
He took a second to say something else a perplexed expression overtaking his face. “Unless, you have plans with your coworkers or you don’t want to celebrate this year at all…” He muttered the words, almost hurt, Poe looked at him in worry.
“Ranpo,” he sat up properly making Ranpo do the same, they intertwined their hands together. “of course I would want to spend every second, minute, and hour of my birthday with you dear, I’m not going anywhere if not in this house with the love of my life.” Poe lifted ranpo’s hands up to his lips to kiss every finger. Ranpo blushing, looked at the bed sheets.
“Stop being cheesy, I’m supposed to be the one showering you with affection.”
Poe laughed and pressed his face against Ranpo’s “I can’t help it, you’re so pretty my love, what did I ever do to deserve your love?”
poe then kissed Ranpo passionately, almost to send a message through their lips saying something like ‘I’m always going to be wherever you want me to be.’
“I love you so much,” Poe said looking directly at Ranpo’s pouty face “I love you too.” He wrapped his arms around poe’s neck, poe wrapping his around Ranpo’s waist.
“I got you something, but it needs preparation and I know it’s your birthday but I planned it for you, so I was wondering if we could prepare it together?
Ranpo started saying, sounding excited and cautious not looking at Poe but not looking at the floor either, maybe straight at the wall?
“Yes,” Poe said cupping Ranpo’s cheeks to look at him, kissing them both then giving his lips a peck “we can do whatever you’d like.” Ranpo frowned “It’s for you.” “And you bet I’m gonna love it.” At that, Ranpo smiled again grabbing poe’s hand to leave the bedroom and go down stairs to the kitchen.
“Ranpo I need to feed Karl I’ll be there after I’m done,” Okay, I’ll be waiting.” He smiled. Poe then went back upstairs to feed his fellow raccoon friend. A while passed, and as promised poe returned back to the kitchen.
“Put this on,” Ranpo handed Poe an apron, he put one on as well and clapped his hands together like he had already started baking. “there we go.”
“Do you need help with the bow?” “Shoot I forgot about that,” Ranpo turned around back facing poe so he could help him tie the strap on the apron. “Done.” “Done!!” Ranpo repeated in a shout “By context clues I’m guessing we’re gonna bake?” “Ah, my wonderful lover, right as always we’re making carrot cake,”Ranpo smiled slyly.
“WHAT!?” Poe practically jumped. “Have you forgotten it’s your birthday?? Of course I’m gonna make you your favorite.” Ranpo crossed his arms then walked across the kitchen to find the cabinets where they keep the cooking supplies. “Alright let’s get started, I went ahead and pre-bought the things we’re gonna need,” Ranpo opened the fringe “I was actually gonna make it myself but I thought i’d be better if we made it together on your birthday so i’d be fresh.”
Poe then walked over to the counter and hugged Ranpo from behind burying his face in Ranpo’s neck as he was preparing the ingredients and utensils. “Thank you for this dear,” “You’re very welcome.”
kissed his forehead, and at the same time a little fury someone might’ve started to feel lonely. “Karl!!” Ranpo cooed rubbing his chin in circles and petting his tail. “Do you wanna help us bake?”
Poe never knew why Ranpo talks to animals, every time they would go on a walk Ranpo would always try to feed the squirrels and ravens that passed by them, giving them berries and nuts holding his hand out in sweet gestures, whispering to them that it’s okay and to take the food. Sometimes it works and the little critters feed right off of his hand, other times they’d fly away, hide in a bush or simply not want to go up to him. Ranpo never made a big deal about it, what he did was leave the food on the ground and walk away whether they took the food he didn’t know. Poe never found him odd for this, he thought it was adorable. Like Ranpo was the reincarnation of Snow White.
“Poe go get your laptop I think Karl wants to help us read the instructions on how to make the cake.” “Do you really now karl??” Karl just smiles almost like he does understand Poe. “He said he’ll read them to me and I’ll just repeat them to you,” they both look at both now. “I’ll be back.”
Some time passes and poe is now in possession of a laptop with a tab open on instructions on how to bake a carrot cake. “Leave that there and wash your hands.” Poe did just that, but just as he was about finished their so called “reader” decided to take a nap. “Oh Karl silly raccoon who’s gonna read the instructions now.” “I could.” Poe raised his hand in a clueless manner until he realized he looked stupid. “Cute,” He paused. “it’s fine my master detective skills will save us from our trouble.””You don’t need detective skills to read?”
Ranpo frowned “I know that,” he looked aimlessly around the kitchen then at Poe blushing “ehh let’s get started shall we?” “alright dear.”
Around 2 hours passed, and after mixing, baking, and icing they were a mess, flour on both of their aprons matter all over thier arms, and icing all around ranpo’s mouth however he and Poe both knew that was definitely not on accident. Ranpo insisted it be a two tier cake or else this would’ve been a much faster and way less messy process, but Poe didn’t mind at all, anything for his beloved Ranpo.
“Poe make little carrots with the left over icing, do we have orange food coloring?” I don’t know did you buy orange food coloring?” Ranpo only stared at him before muttering the words “No.” Poe smiled and swear you could see a light bulb forming atop of his head “It’s okay, I have an idea.” Poe went to open the fringe skimming for carrots. “Ah hah we can just cut the tip off of these and put them on top of the cake and if you don’t want to eat them you don’t have to. “I like carrots.” Ranpo said not looking at poe but getting a knife and gently cutting the bottom part of the carrot. “Cut them in half so the bottom is flat when we place them,” Ranpo said, Poe just opened his mouth making an o shape with his lips and proceeded to do what ranpo told him.
They repeated this process until they were content with the finished result. “It’s beautiful, want me to cut you a piece?” Ranpo asked, eyes practically glued to the cake mouth already watering “Of course dear,”
Poe handed his plate to Ranpo so he could place his piece in the middle of it Ranpo stared at it in awe “We made that love,” he then looked at poe, “cmon taste it I want you to be the judge before I am.” Poe didn’t hesitate to take a bite, savoring it making a satisfied face before it turned into a questioning face and finally a pleased face. He put his hand on his face taking another before remembering it’s not just him in the room.
Ranpo looked at him mesmerized by his gorgeous features, even when he’s eating he still manages a way to look like an angel sent from above. He truly is the luckiest man in the world. “Sooo, thoughts??” said giving him a chance to state his opinion knowing full well Poe greatly enjoyed it.
“I-I think after today there’s not gonna be any leftovers,” Poe said soft lips creasing in a wide opened smile you could see his teeth. “I love it dear, Thank you” “Don’t give me all the credit you helped too, and with most of it.” Ranpo went to reach with his fork a bite from poe’s plate, he then bit into the soft cake. as he was swallowing he said nothing and went to grab another bite.
After he finished that bite however he said “holy crap,” he went to reach for pies arms pressing them amongst the table. “We have to bake something else again” “right now?” “soon, I didn’t buy much ingredients for anything else.” Poe narrowed his eyes very slightly and went to cup Ranpo’s cheek “Absolutely dear, we can bake as much as you please whatever you want.”
Ranpo then fell anxious, letting go of his boyfriends touch he said “I have one more gift for you- well it’s not really a gift, all my money I saved up for your cake and I thought you deserve more than just a cake and-“ “Ranpo”
Poe went to reach for his hand, gently sheltering it then switching it to the other side to run circles on his plam “It doesn’t matter what you give me, I will always it cherish deeply with my whole heart my love for you is undying, even if you gifted me nothing that wouldn’t change anything. “I love you” Ranpo said seeming like he’d birst into tears at any moment. With his unoccupied hand he reached into his bottom pocket to grab a sheet of folded lined paper.
“I wrote you a love letter, it’s cheesy so read it in your head.” He handed the letter to poe and he begabte to unfold it. the letter read
‘To the most brilliant writer I know, most gorgeous man I’ve ever layed my eyes upon, you blow me away each day with your everlasting brains and beauty, you have both. ‘A heart like yours is extinct.’ Like no other you make me smile and laugh you make me feel good and you make me happy. I love everything about you, your hair is soft like a warm blanket your lips as tender as a willow tree, eyes beautiful like amethyst, I want to be yours forever hold my hand, and breath your name. I love that you’re you, I love you Edgar i always will. Happy Birthday. -Love yours and only yours, Ranpo.’
At that moment silence fell upon Poe, he wanted to hug Ranpo and hold him in his arms and never let him go. Ranpo was like his canvas, except replace it with paper. He was a beautiful masterpiece in a human body Poe loved him like an angel, he wanted to kiss and touch every inch of him.
“POE” it wasn’t until Ranpo shouted when he realized he’d been staring at the letter, awkwardly he said “I love it a lot, I love you more than words can describe please stay by my side Ranpo forever, i never want to lose you.” Ranpo was quick to reciprocate his words “I’m never leaving you Poe, I love you so much, you’re the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me you’re worth more than actions words and all of the above. They say love is only a feeling but to me you are love, you’re not just a feeling. I wish I could explain it in words to make you truly understand how much you mean the world to me Edgar. I love all of you.”
Ranpo kissed him and Poe didn’t hesitate to kiss back as well, they knew they loved each other that their love was endless and everlasting. They were more than just love. They were infinite.